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October 9, 2008
"Winter Sonata" Adapted from TV Drama to Movie
The Korean TV drama "Winter Sonata," which led the Hallyu phenomenon throughout Japan, will be adapted into a movie production, along with another "seasonal" serial, "Autumn in My Heart."
Culture Cap Media holds the movie rights to "Winter Sonata," and its CEO, Choi Sun-sik, released a press statement on the 8th announcing the joint investment venture in the production of the film with Kara & Rich Holdings.
Kara & Rich Holdings is an investment company with a majority of Japanese and Singaporean investors. The company has an investment contract with an entertainment firm in Japan that will work alongside Culture Cap Media.
According to Culture Cap Media, the stars of "Winter Sonata," Bae Yong-jun and Choi Ji-woo, will not be participating in the movie adaptation.
"We are hoping to give a refreshing new feel to the movie," the company stated. "After the movie version of 'Winter Sonata,' we will work with Kara & Rich Holdings on the production of the adaptation of 'Autumn in My Heart' as well."
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1550049_11858.html |
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October 9, 2008
Curtain falls on Pusan film fest
The 13th Pusan International Film Festival, which featured 315 films from 60 countries, will wrap up its nine-day run today in the southeastern port city of Busan with the closing film "I Am Happy," directed by Korean filmmaker Yoon Jong-chan.
Amid expectations about the festival's growing influence as a leading venue for premiering Asian films, PIFF broadened its scope by selecting a Kazakh film, "The Gift to Stalin," and screened a record number of world and international premieres, totaling 133.
However, there were some concerns about whether the festival would attract as much publicity as it wanted, due to the shocking suicide of Choi Jin-sil, one of Korea's most iconic actresses, last Thursday, PIFF's the opening day.
Choi Jin-sil, 40, was found dead by her mother early Thursday morning, after apparently committing suicide due to rumors connecting her with the death of another entertainer.
A host of Korean actors who planned to participate in the festival canceled their appearances in Busan and rushed back to Seoul.
The festival suffered a couple of technical problems last week. At the opening ceremony, some of the microphones and speakers did not work, interrupting the operations, and on Saturday a power generator at an outdoor theater broke down, prompting complaints from moviegoers.
But the festival managed to regain normal operations over the weekend, envoking a festive mood. One of the positive developments came from the Asian Film Market, the festival's ambitious film marketplace that has gone through an extensive overhaul this year.
Thanks to an aggressive promotion and operations upgrade, 12 Korean movies were sold at the Asian Film Market. "Secret Sunshine," which gave its heroine Jeon Do-yeon the best actress award at last year's Cannes Film Festival, and "The Good, The Bad, The Weird," a Korean blockbuster featuring top-notch actors, were among the films sold to European and Asian countries.
Another positive result from Busan was that Kim Dong-ho, who has been serving as the chief organizer of PIFF for the past 13 years, received the Nielsen Impact Award from the New York-based Nielsen Company. The Hollywood Reporter, the media conglomerate's film industry newspaper, presented the award.
"We are pleased to present this award to Kim Dong-ho for the impact he has personally made in bringing Korean films to the world, and, in doing so, bridging cultures and promoting tolerance and understanding," said Eric Mika, publisher of the Hollywood Reporter.
As part of efforts to bolster Busan's role as a hub of films in connection with PIFF, the city began the construction for a film center, "Dureraum," which means "together" in Korean, a project that is estimated to cost 162.4 billion won ($133 million). The center, designed by Austrian architect Coop Himmel, will sport six theaters, a museum, exhibition halls and other auxiliary facilities in order to serve as a key venue to educate young filmmakers attending PIFF as well as the Asian Film Academy, which is held as part of the festival.
Some of Asia's most celebrated stars, including many leading Korean actors, joined the film festival. The guest list includes top Japanese actress Juri Ueno, who is widely popular both in Korea and Japan for her comic role in the Japanese television drama "Nodame Cantabile," and Li Xiaolu, one of the four little empresses of China.
Many directors and programmers from the world's major film festivals, including Cannes festival director Thierry Fremaux and Sundance festival director Geoffrey Gilmore also dropped by at the festival.
Leading Korean actors Cho Jae-hyun and Ye Ji-won will host the closing ceremony to be held at the Yachting Center at 7 p.m. today. About 5,000 patrons are expected to join the closing show where "I Am Happy," starring Hyun Bin and Lee Bo-yeong, will be screened, and the winner of the New Currents, the festival's sole competition section, will be announced.
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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October 9, 2008
"I Am Happy" to close S. Korea's international film festival
BUSAN, Oct. 9 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean director's newest film on wounded souls at a psychiatric ward will close South Korea's largest annual film festival this week, organizers said Thursday.
"I am Happy," directed by Yoon Jong-chan, will be screened on Friday, the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) said in a press briefing. Tickets to the film sold out in just over seven minutes.
The film festival in Busan -- as the southeastern port city is now spelled in English -- has been held annually since 1996. It had opened this year on Oct. 2 for a nine-day run.
Based on the novel "Mr. Cho Man-deuk" by the late Lee Cheong-jun, who left an enduring mark on South Korea's contemporary literature and film industry, the story begins as troubled Man-soo becomes an inpatient at a psychiatric ward.
Man-soo, who tries to hide himself behind a world of his own, has a broken family and a gambler brother who comes to the hospital and bullies him. Soo-kyung, a nurse, who watches Man-soo everyday, has a troubled life as well. She has a broken heart and also tries to recover from sad memories of her family.
Director Yoon, who received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University in the U.S. , won numerous awards at film festivals both in and out of South Korea for his short films, including " Playback," "Memento" and "Views."
Credits: [email protected]
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/ ... 1009006900315F.HTML |
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October 9, 2008
Mysterious Artist Resurfaces on Modern Culture Scene
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Left: Actress Kim Min-sun plays Shin Yun-bok in a new film “Portrait of a Beauty.”
Right: Actress Moon Geun-young also stars as Shin Yun-bok in a TV drama, “The Painter of Wind."
The Joseon Kingdom might have been the wrong time for mysterious, talented painter Shin Yun-bok who was ahead of his time due to his freewheeling and satirical disposition.
But Shin seems to be alive in modern times through various elements ranging from novels, TV dramas, films and art galleries.
So who was Shin Yun-bok?
Veiled, Mysterious Life
Shin is better known by his pseudonym, Hyewon. Hyewon was one of the big three folk painters of the Joseon Kingdom (1391-1910), along with Kim Hong-do, known as Danwon, and Kim Deuk-sin. But it has recently been discovered that Shin's original name was in fact Shin Ka-gwon.
It is not exactly known when he was born or died, but experts assumed that he might have lived between 1758-1813. In history and his career, Shin was overshadowed by Danwon, a peer who was widely known to Korean art circles and the public, although he developed his own unique technique and artistry.
Along with Danwon, he is known for his realistic depiction of the daily life of his time. But his paintings were not acclaimed at the time because they were erotic and sensual ― forbidden subjects under the rigid Confucian society.
It is rare to find historic records referring to Shin. But according to research by Lee Won-bok, director of the National Museum of Jeonju, given that painting was a hereditary occupation in the Joseon period, Hyewon's father and grandfather had both been court painters.
The research shows that he was tall and handsome. So the recent trend, to depict him as a woman in a drama and film, might be the result of his girlish penname "Hyewon" meaning "a garden full with orchids" and his frequent portrayals of women.
It is known he was expelled from the royal painting institute Dohwaseo because of his sensual paintings. But there is no record that he attended Dohwaseo. It is more plausible that Joseon society didn't allow a father and son to work together in the same workplace, as his father was also a painter, Lee argues in an article.
Hyewon on the Cultural Scene
Western painters like Vincent van Gogh and Gustav Klimt have been reborn in numerous films.
But the rediscovery of the Korean painter first began with the best-selling book "The Painter of Wind" written by novelist Lee Jung-myung. The book was first published last year. The novel depicts Danwon as a teacher of Hyewon, who tracked the truth behind conspiracies happening in the royal court through paintings. More than 300,000 copies of the book were sold last year.
The novel has been recently been reworked as a TV drama starring actress Moon Geun-young and actor Park Shin-yang. Moon plays the genius artist Hyewon, while actor Park Shin-yang acts as fellow artist and mentor Danwon.
Shin is born a girl, but due to restrictions of education and other activities among women, she lives as a man her whole life, later finding herself in love with her tutor Kim in the drama. The upcoming movie "Portrait of a Beauty" is also spotlighting the painter's life, starring actress Kim Min-sun. The movie is drawing anticipation from the public, as its poster has become one of the hottest teaser promotions.
Directed by Jeon Yun-su known for his hit film "Le Grand Chef," the film is about a fatal love story revolving around Shin and his masterpiece "Portrait of a Beauty."
Actress Kim plays the genius female painter who disguises herself as a man to survive in the Confucian era. Another novel dealing with the Joseon Kingdom's enigma about Shin, "Color, Sharaku" by Kim Jae-hee, is gaining popularity.
The book writes a veiled historical mystery surrounding Danwon and Hyewon, and the Japanese secretive painter, Toshusai Sharaku. The book offers an interesting view, which suggests that Sharaku (1794-1795), one of the greatest masters of woodblock painting in Japan, was Shin.
Sharaku is also known as a painter with an elusive identity who went missing suddenly after 10 months in Japan, leaving behind memorable paintings. The author spins a work of historical fiction, juxtaposing Shin as an undercover agent Sharaku sent by Joseon.
The book is set in 1792 when Sharaku, abruptly appears in the city of Edo and swept people with his distinguished work.
"Some research show that Kim Hong-do was sent by King Jeongjo to Japan as an undercover agent. But after studying the paintings of Hyewon, I found the styles of the paintings of Sharaku and Hyewon are very similar rather than those of Kim. So I assumed Hyewon could be Sharaku," the author told The Korea Times.
She also said that the two painters lived at the same time, and Shin's age is closer to Sharaku while Kim was 10 years older.
"There is no record of Shin almost anywhere in history except for one or two cases. Even Kim Hong-do is mentioned less than 10 times, showing how rigid Joseon aristocratic society was," she said.
Not only the cultural productions but also the Gansong Art Museum is holding an exhibition to show "seohwa," or mixture of calligraphy and paintings, which shows traditional Oriental art combining diverse, affluent artistry with a time-honored history.
The museum presents 104 masterpieces including Shin's work "Portrait of a Beauty."
In the museum, Shin's four masterpieces ― "Scenery on Dano Day," "The Lovers Under the Moon," "Who Will Be the Hero at the Brothel?'' and ``A Boat Party on the Clean River.''
To enjoy the works, visitors can compare the scenes of the drama in which Moon portrays the "Scenery on Dano Day" and "Who Will Be the Hero at the Brothel?"
Genre Painting ― Sensual, Colorful
Known above all for his genre-paintings, Shin drew primarily the daily life of the Korean upper class, called ``yangban.''
Through their rich details, his paintings contribute to the knowledge of the customs and activities of the well to do in the late Joseon Kingdom.
His paintings usually show young scholars and noblemen enjoying themselves with gisaeng, or professional female entertainers, or simply depict the girls in various situations.
Given that the society was heavily ruled by Confucian moral norms, his paintings were often daring and sensual. But they kept temperance when he portrayed women's beauty without being too explicit
This is not only because he depicted amorous couples, but also because the gisaeng were the primary figures in his work.
With his daring use of women and their lovers as subject matter, Shin vividly depicted the passion and romantic tastes of his era. Shin also excelled at landscapes in the literati style with depictions of birds and animals, and calligraphy.
"His unprecedented colorful strokes and affection for women as the main subjects were unparalleled in the Joseon genre paintings. He was a libertine who rebelled against the Joseon rule by portraying forbidden subjects," said Kim, the author of "Color, Sharaku."
She said that he was also good at copying Danwon's paintings. But he also expressed his pent-up complex of being middle class through his satirical paintings.
"His paintings and artistic world seem to meet the demands of modern people who are good at expressing themselves. So that's why more and more novels, dramas and films are revisiting Shin these times,'' she said.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/10/135_32393.html |
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I Am Happy
Lee Bo Young & Hyun Bin
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October 10, 2008
Shin Hye-sung Sings for "Tetris"
Shinhwa member Shin Hye-sung, will be singing the main theme song "Tetris Togethe," for the popular video game "Tetris."
NHN game portal, Han Game, has cooperated with The Tetris Company for the past two years on a new version of Tetris, which will be released to the public at the end of this month.
The Tetris official website features video footage of Shin recording the theme song.
Shin is currently working on promotions for "Because It's You," the title track to his third album. He is also preparing for his October 18th concert at the Olympic Park, entitled "2008 SHS Live Tour Side 1-Live and Let Live in Seoul." In November, his Asia tour will continue through Japan and China.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1550168_11858.html |
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October 10, 2008
Kim Tae Hee Has Been Cast in ‘IRIS’
Actress Kim Tae Hee has been cast in the upcoming drama “IRIS” and will be collaborating with Lee Byung Hun. Kim Tae Hee will play as the partner of Lee Byung Hun in this spy action drama. The production company of “IRIS“, Taewon Entertainment, disclosed this information today, 10th of October.
This, if realized, will be Kim Tae Hee return work since her last drama “Love Story in Harvard” back in 2004.
Kim Tae Hee will play as an agent of a National Intelligence Agency (NSS) with an indescribable sensitive mind and will be thwarting terrorist activities with her colleague Lee Byung Hun in several action scenes.
She also appears to be in a love triangle with Lee Byung Hun and another colleague, Jin Sa Woo, which the cast has not been finalized.
Seriously I don’t know if Kim Tae Hee has replaced Son Ye Jin or both of them are in this drama together since it will be a love triangle. But I will be utterly disappointed if its the former as I really hope for Son Ye Jin to act in this drama. Awaiting further confirmation though.
Source: AsiaEconomy via www.hanfever.com |
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October 10, 2008
Bae Yong-jun Recommended for Cultural Medal
Hallyu star Bae Yong-jun was nominated for a Cultural Medal and, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the actor's eligibility is currently under review by the State Council and president.
The Ministry of Culture has recognized Bae Yong-jun's role in introducing Korea's popular culture to the world through the Hallyu phenomenon following the success of his TV drama "Winter Sonata." Bae is one of 25 nominees for the Cultural Medal.
If Bae Yong-jun is chosen as the recipient of the honorable medal, he will receive the Cultural Medal at the "2008 Culture Day" event held at the Arts Center on October 18th in Cheongju, North Chungcheong province.
Established in 2004, the Cultural Medal is a government commendation awarded to figures whose invaluable efforts have paved the way in an area of culture.
Actress Lee Young-ae was the recipient of the 2007 Cultural Medal for her cultural influence on the Hallyu phenomenon through the TV drama "Jewel in the Palace."
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1550189_11858.html |
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October 10, 2008
PIFF Wraps Up 9-Day Run
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
A scene from the PIFF closing film “I Am Happy”
The 13th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) closed Friday with the premiere of the South Korean film 'I Am Happy" directed by Yoon Jong-chan.
This year's festival featured the largest number of films and world premiers, receiving good response from audiences. But the festival, the largest of its kind in Asia, has an air of calm rather than extravagance.
Asia's largest cinematic event featured a record number 315 films from 60 countries, including 85 world premieres and 95 Asian premiers at 37 theaters over the nine-day run.
The variety of films led to large audience figures. According to PIFF organizers, a total of 198,818 people participated in the event, slightly up from last year.
"This year's festival was exceptionally calm. It's because the festival has grown up over the 13 years and the sectional theaters reduced visitors' confusion," Kim Dong-ho, the festival director, said in a press conference before the closing ceremony.
Also, Kim and veteran French actress Anna Karina, who served as the head of the New Currents jury, announced the winners of the New Currents award ? Korean director Roh Gyeong-tae's "Land of Scarecrows" and Japanese director Ichii Masahide's "Naked of Defences."
"The winning films were selected from 14 New Currents candidates which represent the works of young filmmakers from across the region including films from Iran and Indonesia.
The award was designed to help aspiring young filmmakers realize their cinematic dreams. The winners will be given $30,000 prize money to help fund their next projects.
This year's festival started off on a sad note with the shocking news of the death of top star Choi Jin-sil on the opening day, and small technical problems were experienced in several small events at the beginning.
Also, the festival seemed depressed due to the recent slackening of the local film industry, with the larger film production and distribution companies sharply reduced this year.
However, the festival drew international attention as world cinematic stars such as Japanese actress Juri Ueno, Korean-descent Hollywood stars Moon Bloodgood, James Kyson Lee, Aaron Yoo, and Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai graced the festival.
During the festival, "The Good, The Bad, The Weird," a Korean blockbuster movie, drew the highest popularity in a meeting with fans who gathered to see Jung Woo-sung, Song Kang-ho and Lee Byung-hun.
In the Asian Film Market, "Secret Sunshine" directed by Lee Chang-dong featuring the Cannes award-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon, was sold to Germany, while "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" directed by Kim Ji-woon were sold to Hong Kong and Sweden.
Actor Cho Jae-hyun and actress Ye Ji-won hosted the closing ceremony Friday evening. The closing film, "I Am Happy" about a dejected patient (hallyu star Hyun Bin) and heartbroken nurse (actress Lee Bo-young) who meet in a psychiatric ward, wrapped up the festival.
Credit: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/10/141_32468.html
[ Last edited by katt at 12-10-2008 09:17 PM ] |
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October 10, 2008
HA Jung-woo and SU Ae are tomorrow’s stars
Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF)’s fourth Premiere Star Summit event selected Su Ae (Sunny) as the female Rising Star and HA Jung-woo (The Chaser) received the male Rising Star award. Seven Days director WON Shin-yun took home the Rising Star award in the director category.
CHOUNG Kyung-ho won the best actor nod for Sunny. CHUNG Yeo-won (Two Faces of My Girlfriend) picked up the best actress award in the presence of major stars, including KIM Jee-woon, LEE Byung-hun, and JUNG Woo-sung, and international stars Li Xioalu and Fan Wing.
HA cemented his name internationally through highly praised independent films which were selected throughout the world by film festivals. His breakthrough was The Unforgiven and he topped the box office this year with the sleeper hit The Chaser, another film coveted by global film festivals.
Su Ae played LEE Byung-hun’s character’s love interest in Once in a Summer. In Sunny she transforms from a modest quiet young woman into a singer performing in front of soldiers during the Vietnam War while being in search of her missing-in-action husband.
The Rising Star winners were selected through a combination of popular votes and assessments of professionals. Experts of the Korean film industry selected through a poll while audiences were able to cast their vote online.
Credits: Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC) , image from mydaily via empas.com |
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October 9, 2008
Singer Jo Sung-mo Goes on Tour
Korea’s premier crooner Jo Sung-mo is ready to jumpstart his career after three long years of absence from the music scene. He has returned from fulfilling his military duty and now wants to get back to where he was, namely at the top of the music charts, with a tour in Korea and Japan.
Starting on November 11th in Seoul, Jo’s Korea/Japan concert tour will travel to Gwangju, Daegu, Jeonju, Busan, and Daejeon, and then to Tokyo and Osaka. The concert is titled “Cry Out,” signifying his commitment and resolve to let out his long-suppressed desire for music. Jo plans to showcase his talent in a variety of genres, including jazz, acoustic, rock and house music. He says he’s prepared a very special show for his fans, who’ve waited patiently for him to finish his military duty.
Tickets to his Seoul concert went on sale Thursday afternoon at the online ticket site Interpark. Meanwhile, Jo is sweeping the music charts with “Song of the Wind,” the title song in the original soundtrack album of TV drama “Painter of the Wind.”
Source: KBS World
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/e ... _detail.htm?No=8348 |
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October 10, 2008
SHIN Ha-kyun joins Action Boys director JEONG Byeong-gil
Director JEONG Byeong-gil’s upcoming action drama Cheongnyeon Pookdo Maengjinga (English translation: song of young generation’s progress) stars SHIN Ha-kyun, and LEE Jeong-jin in the leading roles.
The film takes on prejudices through four young social outcasts. Their dreams have blown away and they live their life of hardship while sharing a room together. The film is supposed to start filming at the end of October.
SHIN has been excellent in undertaking offbeat leading roles in independent films and quirky supporting characters in mainstream films. He received praise for his roles in alternative films as JANG Jun-hwan’s Save the Green Planet and PARK Chul-hee’s No Mercy for the Rude while appealing to greater audiences with roles in PARK Chan-wook’s Joint Security Area/JSA, PARK Kwang-hyun’s Welcome to Dongmakgol, and JANG Jin’s Guns and Talks.
LEE returns to the silver screen after three years. He has been working on television dramas since Mapado. LEE has experience with action scenes from his time on YOO Ha’s Spirit of Jeet Kune Do –Once Upon a Time in High School.
Director JEONG recently released his documentary Action Boys. The documentary portrays the life and dreams of film stuntmen. Korean stuntmen are underpaid for their high risk stunts, especially compared to their glamorous highly paid star actors who they replace during dangerous scenes. JEONG has been quoted saying that he wanted to capture these young men’s dreams and passion for life.
Yi Ch’ang-ho (KOFIC)
http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/KOFI ... mp;Gesimul_SNO=1090 |
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October 10, 2008
Superstar Rain Returns
World star Rain kicked off his singing career in Korea after a 2-year hiatus by appearing late Thursday for the filming of his comeback special. After he released his fourth album in 2006, he has concentrated on his acting career, appearing in the Hollywood blockbuster “Speed Racer” and starring in “Ninja Assassin” slated for release in 2009. But even while shaping his acting career, Rain has steadily worked on his fifth album, the first product since his departure from his mentor and producer Park Jin-young.
Rain’s fifth album “Rainism” showcases a wide range of his abilities. During the filming of his comeback special at the MBC Open Hall in Ilsan on the outskirts of Seoul, 1,000 of his fans gathered to see how far Korea’s hottest entertainer has evolved over the years. He has written songs and closely participated in all the phases of its production. In addition to his signature power dance, he showed that he had a comic touch in “Fresh Woman” in which he was dressed up in workout clothes and a fuzzy wig. The audience went wild at his funny expressions and comments.
Actress Kim Sun-ah of “My Name is Kim Samsoon” fame made a surprise visit to the stage during Rain’s performance of “Bad Man.” Dressed in a skimpy dress, Kim danced a sultry number with Rain to the envy of his fans. Rain’s special will be aired in two parts – a documentary and a comeback concert. His much anticipated fifth album will go on sale on October 15th.
Source: KBS World
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/e ... _detail.htm?No=8349 |
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Friday, 10 October 2008
Pusan announces winning films
Korea's "Land of Scarecrows" and "Naked of Defenses" from Japan share top prize
Written by Han Sunhee
PUSAN -- The 13th Pusan International Film Festival wrapped on Friday with top prizes from its New Currents competition section shared between Korea's "Land of Scarecrows" and Japan's "Naked of Defenses."
Helmer Roh Gyung-tae's "Scarecrows" is a collection of stories of isolated people including one about a transgender woman who wants to become a man. Ichii Masahide's "Naked of Defenses" portrays a female worker at a plastics factory and delves into her past memories.
Jury, headed French actress Anna Karina, also made two special mentions, one for Baek Seung Bin's "Members of the Funeral" and the other was for Yang Jin's "Er Dong".
At a pres conference Friday morning, PIFF organizers said that fest had screened 315 feature movies including 85 world preems, both the largest totals in the fest's 13 year history.
"This year, we tried to introduce films from relatively unknown territories like Middle Asia, focusing on the Kazakhstan film industry," festival director Kim Dong-ho said. "It is also a significant result that 16 films among the 27 projects funded from Asian Cinema Fund were screened at this year's festival."
Audience total also hit record levels with a total of 198,818 admissions and a seat occupancy rate of 72.3%.
Total number of guest and business attendees was totaled 11,110, including 3,038 domestic guests, 638 foreign guests, 1,200 'cinephiles' who the festival invited, 4,640 Asian Film Market guests, and 1,594 members of the press.
The 4th running of the Asian Film Academy also wrapped up on Thursday. Headed by Taiwanese helmer Hou Hsiao-hsien as dean, the teach-in invited 24 individuals from 12 countries to attend 4 workshops and 3 mentoring sessions.
Moving from the metaphorical to the physical, Kim also outlined the festival's plans to build a permanent home. "The ground-breaking ceremony of Busan Film Center 'Dureraum' on Oct. 2 was one of the most memorable moments this year, in that it will be the center of Asian film industry when the construction is completed," he said. |
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Pusan International Film Festival – 2008 winners list
New Currents Award – joint winners ($30,000)
"Land of Scarecrows" Roh Gyeong-tae (South Korea)
"Naked of Defenses" Ichii Masahide (Japan)
New Currents Award special mentions
"Members of the Funeral" Baek Seung-bin (South Korea)
"Er Dong" Yang Jin (China)
Sonje Award ($10,000)
"Andong" by Rommel Tolentino Milo (Philippines)
"Girl" by Hong Sunghoon (South Korea)
PIFF Mecenat Award
"Mental" Soda Kazuhiro (Japan)
"Old Partner" Lee Chung-ryoul (South Korea)
Fipresci Award
"Jalainur" Ye Zhao (China)
NETPAC Award
"Members of the Funeral" Baek Seung-bin (South Korea)
"Treeless Mountain" Kim So-young (South Korea/U.S.)
KNN Movie Award (Audience Award, $ 20,000)
"100" by Chris Martinez (Philippines)
Source: Variety Asia
http://varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/7190/
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NEWS INDEX page 56
October 10, 2008: Bae Doo-na in Koreeda film
Oct 12: NOT ALL GLOOM - Suicide casts shadow at Korean film festival but stars soon perk up
Oct 12: [MOVIE REVIEW] Eugene shines in 'Heartbreak'
Oct 12: Rain Finally Unveiled in Asia
Oct 10: [HERALD INTERVIEW] Incomplete without photography (Zo Sunhi)
Oct 12: Song Hye-kyo to Become Producer in New Drama
Oct 12: US envoy participating in 2008 Pink Ribbon Love Marathon
Oct 11: Drama festivals and pop concerts galore
Oct 13: K-pop Artists to Hold Benefit Concert for Korean-Japanese
Oct 13: Legendary painter Hyewon hits silver screen
Oct 10: Korean audience flock back to theatres - "Divine Weapon" and "Rough Cut" takes domestic market share to six-month high
Weekly Box Office 2008.10.10 ~ 2008.10.12
Oct 13: Kim Tae-hee Returns to TV Drama As Lee Byung Hun's Lover
Oct 13: Kim (Jee Woon) Wins Best Director Award in Spanish Film Fest
Oct 13: 2008 SITGES Winners Announced!
Oct 13: Ryu Si-won Celebrates Birthday With Honorable Mention
Oct 14: "Eye"-spy top spot for Korea B.O.
Oct 14: Singer Kim Jong-guk to Release 5th Studio Album
Oct 14: Top film star charged with promoting S. Korean tourism
Oct 14: Actress Breaks Nose, Falls Into Well
Oct 14: Actor Ahn's Death to Be Reinvestigated
Oct 14: KBS Documentary to Compete in Emmy Awards
Oct 15: Japanese Hallyu festival attracts thousands as 17 films screened
Oct 15: Police reopen probe into death of Ahn Jae-hwan
[ Last edited by katt at 15-10-2008 12:54 PM ] |
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October 10, 2008
Bae Doo-na in Koreeda film
Renowned Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda told reporters at Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) that he will work with actress BAE Doo-na on his next project. Koreeda said that he highly regards the Korean actress and that he is a fan. Koreeda watched all her films and named Barking Dogs Never Bite, Take Care of My Cat, and The Host.
Koreeda praised BAE for her acting and comedy skills, rather than being just a pretty face, to motivate his choice for BAE in a leading role in his fantasy melodrama with touches of comedy. The story will be about a non-human form of life which learns the language and emotions like love while living among humans.
Korean film company Barunson Entertainment is also involved in the project. According to Barunson, the project has no confirmed title as yet and that more details about the project are still pending. The film is scheduled to start filming in December.
BAE previously played in the Japanese film Linda Linda Linda (Nobuhiro Yama#a), a film about a high school female band with BAE playing the lead singer. BAE has shunned roles of glamorous and/or beautiful protagonists and rather tackles character roles and she has the touch to endear characters with charming quirks.
Koreeda showcased his latest film Still Walking at this year’s PIFF. He was also at PIFF with his previous film Hana in 2006. He is best known for his Nobody Knows.
Yi Ch’ang-ho (KOFIC)
http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/KOFI ... mp;Gesimul_SNO=1092 |
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October 12, 2008
NOT ALL GLOOM
Suicide casts shadow at Korean film festival but stars soon perk up
By Chang May Choon
IT started gloomily but ended with great cheer, lifted by the reception for a trio of actors and the buzz surrounding some of the biggest stars in the industry.
The 13th Pusan International Film Festival, held in South Korea, had opened last Thursday in the midst of bad news -the tragic suicide of South Korea's TV sweetheart Choi Jin Sil.
Stars such as Lee Byung Hun and Kim Hye Soo even decided not to walk the red carpet, out of respect for their late friend. Byung Hun reportedly flew to Seoul immediately to attend Jin Sil's funeral, while Hye Soo was so upset over the news that she could not bring herself to dress up for the occasion.
Dozens of reporters were called back to Seoul, and those who stayed behind noted that the opening ceremony was a subdued affair, with many stars, including A-lister Jang Dong Gun, looking woeful and donning muted colours. But as the days went by, joy and laughter returned to the star-studded nine-day event held annually in South Korea's southern seaport city Busan (formerly known as Pusan).
After all, there was cause for celebration, given all the encouraging good news that emerged during the film festival, one of Asia's biggest and most popular. The emphasis this year was on small-budget indie projects that feature A-list names.
Popular actress Song Hye Kyo, for one, commanded plenty of attention when she turned up to promote her first English-speaking film, the much-anticipated psycho-thriller Make Yourself At Home.
INDIE BEAUTY: Actress Song Hye-Kyo posing in front of a poster
during the gala presentation of Make Yourself At Home. --PICTURE: AFP
She plays a witch who chooses to live an ordinary life in the US.
Although the film is widely hailed as her Hollywood debut, the star of hit drama Full House insisted during a media conference that it is more of a Korean indie movie filmed in America.
Still, it was a good start to going international for Hye Kyo, whose next project is the war love story, 1949, helmed by director John Woo. The 27-year-old actress said: 'I believe that I can work hard to make it in Hollywood, by steadily making movies.'
Speaking in English on the set of Make Yourself At Home was 'really difficult' for her, but she got help from her American crew who 'all turned into English teachers and corrected my pronunciation'.
Also set to go international is Korean actress Han Chae Young, who unveiled her new Korea-New Zealand project, Soul Mates, in Busan.
The horror flick about eternal love and ghosts will be directed by New Zealand director Scott Reynolds. And special effects supervisor Richard Taylor (The Lord of the Rings) and his company Weta Workshop will handle the movie's visual effects.
Actress Chae Young unveils Korea-New Zealand
project Soul Mates in Busan. --PICTURES: PIFF
Speaking in English will be a breeze for 28-year-old Chae Young - nicknamed 'Barbie Doll' for her good looks and voluptuous figure - as she grew up in the US before she was talent-spotted during a vacation in South Korea. Her management company said she took up the role as it could be a 'stepping stone' to making inroads into Hollywood.
As for actress Park Eun Hye, she was overjoyed to earn recognition in Busan for her first film in 10 years. She was named Best New Actress for arthouse director Hong Sang Soo's Night And Day, in which she plays an art student in Paris who befriends three other Koreans there. It was heartening news for Eun Hye, 30, who was making her first public appearance since suffering a miscarriage last month.
Bursting into tears on stage, the actress - who played a kitchen helper-turned-concubine in popular TV series Jewel In The Palace - said: 'Some people may ask why I'm getting a newcomer award when I've been acting for 10 years, but I feel that I've been reborn through this movie...
'There was a lot of unhappiness in the process, but I was able to muster up courage because of everyone's support.' Also drawing praise in Busan were Korean actors whose unusual characters in their new projects won over film critics.
Gong Hyo Jin, for instance, was lauded for turning herself into an oddball teacher in her new film Crush And Blush. She told Yonhap News Agency: 'I used to feel troubled when I had to play such alternative roles. 'But now, as long as the movie is emotionally charged, I don't mind paying a murderer or a fool.'
Co-stars Hyun Bin and Lee Bo Young, who team up in the festival's closing film I Am Happy, also won over critics with their acting skills. He plays a depressed psychiatric patient who meets a forlorn nurse (Bo Young) in hospital.
Hyun Bin, 26, said he visited real-life mental patients to observe how they behave, in order to prepare for his role. 'It's tough to play a psychiatric patient... But I love this project too much and I poured my soul into it. It was tiring, but I also felt blissful.'
POPULAR: (Above, from left) Actors Kang Ho, Byung Hun, Woo Sung, and Dir. Kim Jee Woon
of the movie The Good, The Bad, The Weird. --PICTURES: PIFF
But the biggest fan reception yet went to the three A-list cast members of the cowboy action flick The Good, The Bad, The Weird.
More than 3,000 fans turned up to see hunks Byung Hun (who plays the bad guy) and Jung Woo Sung (the good guy), as well as veteran actor Song Kang Ho (the weird guy). The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, drew more than 7.3 million admissions in South Korea.
Funnyman Kang Ho said: 'Byung Hun and Woo Sung are really too suave, I can't compare to them no matter how hard I try...' To the guffaws that erupted, he added: 'So I can only try to bring the audience more joy.'
Hopefully, more laughter will help to lift the spirit of those mourning the demise of Jin Sil.
Source: The Electric New Paper - Singapore
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,4136,179790,00.html
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Octoober 12, 2008
[MOVIE REVIEW] Eugene shines in 'Heartbreak'
"Heartbreak Library," directed by Kim Jung-kwon, has a misleading Korean title: "Geu-namja-ui chaek 198-jjok," which translates into " Page 198 of the Man's Book." On the surface, it is about a man who has lost his love and struggles with an uncontrollable sense of loss. But the real protagonist is his opposite, a woman who goes a step beyond her own romantic travails.
Her name is Eun-soo (played by singer/actress Eugene), a librarian who has recently broken-up with her boyfriend. Right before heading out to the library where she works, Eun-soo looks in the mirror, where a photo is attached with a yellow Post-it hiding the face of her old flame. Apparently her emotions for him have not gone away completely, even though she knows all too well that he won't come back.
For Eun-soo, what's more important is her work at the library located in a seaside village, and she's a stickler. She knows where people hide library books and which ones are not in the right shelves. She also cannot stand a library patron who does not take care of the books, and she treats Jun-oh (Lee Dong-wook), a good-looking man clad in a black suit and black tie, like a serious criminal.
]
That's because Jun-oh keeps tearing out a single page (yes, page 198) from every book he comes across without realizing that his act is vandalism. Eun-soo calls the police and hunts down the strange man, leading to a wild scuffle. The police, however, do not arrest him. It turns out that he did not know the rules of the library and says he will copy the pages he wants from now on. That seems a reasonable solution for everybody except Eun-soo, who still fumes about the incident.
Even so, she is drawn to Jun-ho's strange habit of looking at page 198 in library books. Asked why, Jun-oh explains that he wants to find a message in one of the books that might lead to his girlfriend, since she recently disappeared, leaving behind a mysterious note that read, "Look up page 198."
When Eun-soo traces the library database, she discovers that Jun-oh's girlfriend was a bibliophile, checking out a total of 900 books from the library.
Eun-soo initially advises Jun-ho to let her go if that's her wish, because keeping trying to trace her is just an empty obsession. But Jun-oh does not show any sign of quitting; his resolve to find his beloved, if anything, seems stronger than ever.
Kim generously throws in hints and foreshadowing details about Jun-oh's situation, sometimes providing far more details than necessary in an apparent bid to get the audience to realize the movie's key theme: memory.
Both Eun-soo and Jun-oh are stuck in the trap of their memories. Eun-soo, for her part, is going through the painful process of healing after splitting with her boyfriend. She wants forget the whole thing, but she fails to pull out of the pit of regret.
While, nobody wants to revisit a painful memory, the movie seems to suggest that Eun-soo cannot and should not forget the past. After all, the past, be it positive or negative, is part of life. One consolation is that, as Jun-oh at one point states, all pains associated with memories eventually fade, even though the memories themselves never go away.
Jun-oh's somewhat erratic behavior prompts a couple of subplots that involve a gangster boss and a sushi bar. But the episode with the gangster who appreciates Jun-oh's culinary talent seems far removed from the overall tone of the film, which can be safely classified as a romantic drama.
More relevant are the two trips Eun-soo and Jun-oh agree to go on together. The first one, proposed by Jun-oh, is to find a trace of his girlfriend, and the second, suggested by Eun-soo, is to find not only a trace but the evidence of true love that awaits Jun-oh's visit.
Eugene plays the role of Eun-soo in a solid, reliable fashion that helps flesh out a likable character befitting a typical romantic novel. She is basically the girl next door, and Eun-soo presents a character with whom the audience can easily connect.
Lee Dong-wook also breaks some ground in bringing about Jun-oh's brooding, sad-eyed character, but his emotional subtlety, especially at a climactic moment, still needs some polishing.
Overall, the movie's plot turns are slow-paced, partly because it is based on a short story by Yun Seong-hui and extended to a full-length feature by screenwriters Na Hyeon and Park Eun-yeong.
However, visual details are carefully chosen to enhance the romantic mood, well-suited to the target audience of female moviegoers in their 20s and 30s -- those who will gravitate toward Eun-soo's special sympathy that is at once rare and heart-warming.
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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October 12, 2008
Rain Finally Unveiled in Asia
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Actress Kim Sun-a, left, and K-pop superstar Rain tango in his comeback showcase
held last week in MBC Dreamcenter in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province./ Korea Times File
Korean pop sensation Rain has officially returned to Asian fans. The 26-year-old singer was not only back home, but better than ever.
At his show, held at MBC Dreamcenter in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, fans from Japan, Taiwan, China and Korea who were exclusively invited waited patiently with their small fluorescent poles shaped in the letter "R" and pieces of that read "Rainism," the title of the singer's new album.
The lights finally dimmed and Rain appeared on stage dressed in a black suit, red tie, and a new hairstyle: short and burgundy.
"Rainism" was the first song he presented to fans, along with his trademark superb dance moves. There was a change in style with a more sensual and sexy dance routine replacing his usual powerful and energetic movements. Rain continued with "Love Story," where he stood standing on a circular platform that rose about 3 meters above the stage.
"Today's show is a bit different. (Showcases) were more like a concert and I realized I was being selfish. So this time, we'll talk more,'' he said to the shouting fans.
The next song "It's Raining'' from his third album started with one of his trademark remarks "Come on Yo!," while his new song "Only You" graced fans with groovy soul melodies, with Rain appearing in a brown suit, matching brown leather vest and boots.
Suddenly, the LED screens around the stage displayed red rose petals flying in the wind, and a tango rhythm banged from the speakers.
Rain, who went backstage to change his outfit, reappeared, this time with a lovely female dancer dressed in a tango costume. Dancing to the music that gradually mixed with Rain's debut song "Bad Guy," the couple surprised fans with their exquisite dance moves and surprised them once again when Rain finally revealed the mysterious lady.
"I wanted to present a special performance with a famous actress. Kim Sun-a here has been practicing for the past two weeks with me for the show. Wasn't she wonderful?" said Rain. Kim waved to the screaming fans and said that she was honored to have danced with Rain. "I can't believe I'm on stage. It's a great honor to be standing here and the past two weeks have been a priceless memory," she said.
Rain returned on stage to sing a new funky number "Fresh Woman," dressed in a black tracksuit and big Afro wig. Catching his breath from singing and dancing, he added to his fans that he "was grateful for waiting for the past two years."
The official showcase ended with Rain and his team of dancers leaving the stage waving to fans, but he soon reappeared and offered several encores, including "How to Avoid the Sun" and "Instead of Saying Goodbye."
For Rain fans, Friday night might have been a dream come true as right after the showcase, there was a special program on MBC that showed the life of Rain for the past five months as an actor starring in the Hollywood film "Ninja Assassin."
"You know what, I hate this," Rain said between his sessions with the trainers who worked with actors for the movie "300" (2006). The show continued to show footage of the singer/actor rehearsing for the movie, preparing meals on weekends and working out between filming.
Through exclusive interviews, Rain revealed his continuous efforts and strategies in trying to make it big not only here in Asia, but also in Hollywood. He appeared in the movie "I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay" by director Park Chan-wook not only because it was a great role, but also with hopes of appearing at an international film event, which he eventually did at the Berlin International Film Festival. Discovering his soaring popularity in Southeast Asia with the drama "Full House" (2004), Rain quickly held an Asia tour and impressed Asian fans, making Hollywood wonder about the Korean singer who could also act. He also made the list of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World list, appeared in the Wachowski brothers' "Speed Racer," signed a contract with William Morris Agency and was given the lead role in "Assassin" directed by James McTeigue ("V for Vendetta").
"I dedicated my 20s, my passion and energy to the name 'Rain.' I always did my best and I thought if I did, it would eventually show and even if it didn't turn out well, I wouldn't have any regrets. The thought of my picture being hung on the walls of a Hollywood theater kept me going,'' he said during the show.
The second part of Rain's special program titled "Me, Rain, Dance" will be aired at 10:55 p.m. Oct. 17 on MBC.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/10/143_32517.html
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