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NEWS INDEX page 57
October 15, 2008: Speak your mind, don’t hold back, no matter what (Crush & Blush)
Oct 15: [TV review] Sadomasochistic joy of the Maestro’s insults
Oct 15: Han Chae-young and Kiwi Director Become Cinematic Soul Mates
Oct 15: BoA Releases Live Concert DVD
Oct 15: Eye Candy - Koo Hye Seon
Oct 15: 'A Time for Dogs...' Ranked Number One on Yahoo! Drama Poll
Oct 15: Action and anti-heroes propel ‘Good Bad Weird’
Oct 16: Park Eun Hye in New Interactive Drama, ‘Detective Mr. Lee’
Oct 16: Koreans go to the vault for new releases
Oct 16: Jeon Do-yeon and Younha Chosen as Female Role Models
Oct 16: Actor Won Bin's Parents' House Wins 2008 Korean Architecture Award
Oct 16: Film fest focuses on directors, horror
Oct 16: Searching for Memories in "Library"
Oct 16: Bae Yong-jun to Receive Culture Medal
Oct 16: [HERALD INTERVIEW] 'TV shows need time out'
Oct 16: Choi Jin-sil’s Death Was Suicide, Autopsy Reveals
Oct 17: Jun Jin to Hold Fan Meeting in Japan
Oct 16: Korean Diva Nixed by SAC Again
Oct 17: Lee Jung-hyun Returns to Korean Stage after 2 Years
Oct 17: S. Korea's film exports fall over 50 percent
Oct 17: Yoon Sang-hyun and Cho Yeo-jung to Star in New Drama
Oct 17: Film Exports Decline over 50 Percent in 2 Years
Oct 13: Group Cool to Hold Concert
Oct 17: Actor Park Sang-won Holds Photo Exhibition
[ Last edited by katt at 18-10-2008 10:34 PM ] |
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October 15, 2008
Speak your mind, don’t hold back, no matter what
'It's O.K to be different. It’s O.K. to be the black sheep. Just be yourself like Mi-suk.'
Mi-suk is a wild-eyed character in “Crush and Blush,” which will be released tomorrow.
When her high school classmates pose for a group picture on a field trip, she crouches at the back and jumps at the cameraman’s shout of three. No one noticed her at school and no one notices her 10 years later when she becomes a middle school English teacher. Her students ignore her because she is not cool.
Her frumpy appearance - blushing red every time she speaks, overly chapped lips and curly, bouffant hair - makes her a figure of fun. Her blushing peaks when she expresses her unrequited love to Mr. Seo, who was once her homeroom teacher and is now married with a child.
But Mi-suk, 29, played by Kong Hyo-jin, is not an innocent introvert. She’s not the type who waits for her Prince Charming to ride by on a white steed and scoop her into his arms. “When most young women fall in love, they keep quiet,” said Lee Kyoung-mi, the movie’s director, during an open talk at the 13th Pusan International Film Festival early last month. Not so for Mi-suk.
Crush and Blush, Lee’s first feature film, premiered at the festival. The producer is “Oldboy” director Park Chan-wook.
“Women who lack self-confidence can’t always be honest about their feelings. But Mi-suk expresses every feeling inside and out,” she said.
According to Choi Yoon-hee, 61, who gave a lecture before a special screening of the movie at Daehan Theater in Chungmuro, central Seoul, on Monday, the key to healthy living is being honest about who you are.
Choi is a prominent figure in the world of advertising in Korea and is often seen on television giving talks on lifestyle and self-help. She appears on “Every Morning,” which is shown on KBS 1, and on Story On’s “The Park Chul Show.” “Mi-suk goes against the grain. She follows her heart, not her head. She overcomes bias with her honesty. It’s not easy to find people like her these days,” Choi said.
In her talk, Choi said that every individual should be respected for his or her own worth and that lacking in self-confidence was not something to be ashamed of. “It’s O.K. to be different. It’s O.K. to be the black sheep. Just be yourself like Mi-suk,” she said.
Choi went on to explain that life is broadcast live and that there are no dress rehearsals. Life doesn’t offer a round-trip ticket after death. “Now is the time to act,” she said.
But not everyone at the screening agreed. Lee Hyun-woo, 24, felt something was lacking. “It’s a good idea to create a fearless and strong-willed character,” said Lee. “But the way Mi-suk overcomes the problems in her life is not very credible.”
One such far-fetched scene is when Mi-suk logs on to an instant messenger program using Mr. Seo’s personal log-in and contacts his secret mistress, another teacher at the school. She uses this opportunity to try to break up the illicit affair.
No matter what you think about Mi-suk and her behavior, she is trying to “face life and be honest,” which was the director’s aim. “Forget the idea that the world is fair. [Physically unattractive] people like us need to live life more to the full,” Mi-suk says in the movie.
By Lee Eun-joo Staff Reporter [[email protected]], poster from yahoo.kr
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2896080 |
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October 15, 2008
[TV review] Sadomasochistic joy of the Maestro’s insults
Kim Myung-min as Maestro Kang Kun-woo in “Beethoven Virus.” [MBC-TV]
Sadomasochistic joy of the Maestro’s insults
I had no idea that I would be thrilled to hear “You’re a lump of #.”
In a TV drama, that is.
My heartfelt apology to you if the use of the S word ruined your lunch, but let me tell you that there is something deadly attractive about the line “lump-of-#” when articulated by lead actor Kim Myung-min.
And I am not the only one who feels this way. The drama “Beethoven Virus” on MBC-TV, is enjoying smooth sailing with an audience rating well over 15 percent on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 p.m.
The show is about a rabble of amateur classical musicians building their musical dreams under the baton of their stern conductor. Starring Kim, Beethoven is a very good reason to be home before 10 p.m.
This story is a rather tried-and-trusted story about every Tom, Dick and Harry collaborating to realize their dreams, but this program sparkles with the jewel that is Kim and his virulent tongue.
I am now hunting online for a collection of scenes in which Kim speaks the line. Type in the name of the actor on an Internet portal site, and you are given “lump of #” as a related keyword.
A lump-of-# medley in Kim’s voice from the drama has even evolved into a ringtone.
Yes, there is a sadomasochistic kind of fun here, but his resonant voice and lucid pronunciation gives fragrant spice to the line.
It is just one of many signature vituperations of the lead character, Maestro Kang Gun-woo (Kim), an amazingly talented yet cold-blooded conductor.
The lump-of-# line comes from a scene in which Maestro Kang (nicknamed by Koreans as Kang Ma-ae) curtly berates a middle-aged woman who wants to pursure her long-lost dream of becoming a professional cellist.
“You don’t practice but you want to look good as a performer in an orchestra and plus, you have this vain pride as a music school graduate,” Kim said, poker-faced, hardly moving any of his facial muscles. “You deserve to be called a hopeless nuisance, a stumbling block and, most precisely, a lump of #.”
Ouch.
His other relentless comments include, “Juilliard? Play like a dog, and you’re in there. What’s so great about Juilliard?” and “Your performance was rubbish, and you disgraced Brahms.”
Listening to his rants is a pleasure and his acrimonious ways are strangely cathartic.
What’s intriguing here is that viewers are more than willing to embrace these ruthless words, which is rather unexpected in a country like Korea, where beating around the bush is often considered better manners than being direct.
But I’ve noticed a trend these days on television here for characters in dramas to be more aggressive in the way they speak. Perversely, it’s seen as charming by some viewers, giving them a sense of liberation.
What makes Maestro Kang’s ruthless speech more special is that he knows what he is doing. He is so talented he doesn’t have to care about manners. His wagging tongue hurts the listeners at first but it eventually works to move the hearts of his orchestra, egging them on to realize their dreams. Maybe this is why many viewers say they’d like people like Maestro Kang in their offices.
The danger is that we might see unqualified and untalented Maestro Kang mimics badgering us at work. Thankfully, we have that lump-of-# video online to watch, to see how the master does it.
By Chun Su jin Staff Reporter[[email protected]]
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2896078 |
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October 15, 2008
Han Chae-young and Kiwi Director Become Cinematic Soul Mates
Actress Han Chae-young
A press conference on pre-production of the film “Soul Mates” -- the first ever joint Korean-New Zealand movie to be made -- was held at the Paradise Hotel in Busan on Oct. 4.
In the spotlight at the conference was actress Han Chae-young, who has been cast in a leading role. When asked about appearing in a foreign film for the first time, she said, “Of course I feel the pressure. It is my first time appearing in a film in English, but because the director (Scott Reynolds) is so capable and effective at communicating with actors and actresses, I don’t think it will be difficult to make this film.”
yahoo.kr
Director Reynolds is already well known to the Korean public as the director of “The Ugly,” featured in the 1997 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.
Reynolds said, “New Zealanders love Korean movies. For example, ‘A Tale of Two Sisters’ by Kim Jee-woon was very popular. Han, who combines the beauty of both East and West, is a perfect fit for this movie. “I don’t just mean her physical qualities. She should evolve into a top actress through her role of Jin-hee in ‘Soul Mates.’”
“Soul Mates” is a horror-thriller about eternal love, and will incorporate elements from Asian shamanism. Filming is expected to begin in January of next year.
Credits: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200810/200810150004.html
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October 15, 2008
BoA Releases Live Concert DVD
Singer BoA will release a DVD of her live concert tour in Japan on October 15. The DVD, which was released a month earlier in Japan in September, features live footage from her June 19 concert held at the Tokyo International Forum. This year, BoA held a series of concerts in 14 major cities in Japan including Nagoya, Nigata, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kobe, Sendai and Fukuoka.
The DVD features 27 of BoA's biggest hits, including her debut song "ID Peace B" as well as "Kissing You" and "Sparkling." Fans can also check out behind-the-scenes images of BoA.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1550831_11858.html |
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October 15, 2008
Eye Candy - Koo Hye Seon
Who's sizzling? Who's scorching? We single out the up-and-coming hunks and hotties who should be on your radar
SHE first rose to fame as one of the prettiest girls in cyberspace.
TEXT: CHANG MAY CHOON
PICTURES: CHANNEL U, DSP ENTERTAINMENT
TV scouts soon came knocking, and Koo Hye Seon has since become one of the hottest new stars in Korea.
You may know her as the cute but bumbling protagonist in the family drama Hearts Of 19, which is showing on Channel U.
Hye Seon, 24, is also known in Korea for her period dramas King And I and Mighty Chil Woo. Deemed a favourite with advertisers, she was ranked No1 in a recent survey as the product spokesman who's most able to 'arouse customer's appetite'.
Next step? She is slated to conquer Asia by playing the female lead in the highly-anticipated Korean version of hugely popular Japanese manga-adapted idol drama Meteor Garden.
Hers is the coveted role popularised by Taiwan's Barbie Hsu and Japan's Mao Inoue - feisty girl Tsukushi Makino, who boldly challenges four handsome bullies known as F4 and wins the heart of their hot-tempered leader Tsukasa Domyouji.
Filming will begin later this month.
More than just a pretty face, Hye Seon is also an award-winning artist who gave up her art studies for her TV career in 2005. Fans have raved about the oil paintings and sketches she often posted on her personal homepage.
She also sings like a pro and has directed her own horror film about euthanasia.
She told Ceci magazine: 'I have so many dreams in my mind. Sometimes I feel like travelling with my paintbrush... but I also hope to continue my work in showbiz. Whatever it is, I should devote all my energy to fulfilling my dreams.'
YUMMY FACTOR: 4 out of 5
Source: The Electric New Paper
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,4136,180126,00.html |
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October 15, 2008
'A Time for Dogs...' Ranked Number One on Yahoo! Drama Poll
"A Time for Dogs and Wolves," a drama series which aired on MBC last year, has been chosen by Korean and Japanese internet users as the best drama series of the year. According to the organizing committee of the annual Seoul Drama Awards, the drama received 60.1% of the total votes cast from September 4 to October 5 on Yahoo! Korea and Yahoo! Japan.
The recent poll was conducted solely online. A total of 16.8 million people cast their votes on Yahoo! Korea while 17.8 million people cast votes on Yahoo! Japan. However, as one person could cast votes more than once, the total number of votes is likely to be more than the actual number of people who took part in the poll.
2TV's "Hong Gil-dong, the Hero" took the second spot with 36.9% while MBC's "Coffee Prince" took the third spot with 2.0%. Actors that starred in "A Time for Dogs and Wolves" also topped the rankings. Lee Jun-ki and Nam Sang-mi shared the number one spot with 60.1% and 47.9%, respectively. Actor Kang Ji-hwan took the number two spot with 36.8% while Sung Yoo-ri took the number two spot in the female category with 39.1%.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/new...0856_11858.html |
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HAWAII INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 9-19 October, 2008
October 15, 2008
Action and anti-heroes propel ‘Good Bad Weird’
By Gary C.W. Chun
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Director Kim Jee-woon, left, and actors Jung Woo-sung, Lee Byung-hun and Song Kang-ho attended a press conference the Open Talk Session at the 13th Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea promoting their movie "The Good The Bad The Weird" on Oct. 4. Kim and Jung will attend the Hawaii International Film Festival, with the director collecting HIFF's Maverick Award and the actor an Achievement in Acting award.
This self-described "Oriental Western," while a far cry from its inspiration -- Sergio Leone's now-classic Spaghetti Western of similar title and theme -- has enough production and action value going for it that it exemplifies South Korea's continuing box-office impact on international cinema.
Director Kim Jee-woon pays direct homage to Leone's 1966 Italian epic more with music cues earlier in his film: bits of fuzzed-out electric guitar and whistling reminiscent of Ennio Morricone's original memorable score. But when "Good Bad Weird's" final action spectacle rolls around, the audience hears an unusual throbbing, a Spanish "rumba flamenca" music akin to the Gypsy Kings.
And why not? The Korean movie is already a pastiche of every major action-adventure genre flick of the past few decades, never mind the Western.
The Asian country's mythical West, for this movie, is in the hinterlands of Manchuria in the 1930s, when many Koreans fled to China's untamed wilderness to escape Japanese colonial rule. All parties involved -- including Korean independence fighters and opportunists, the Japanese army and Chinese bandits -- are in pursuit of a mysterious treasure map.
A vicious killer and gang leader, Park Chang-yi (Lee Byung-hun), tries to steal the map during a train heist, only to be thwarted by a common robber, Yoon Tae-goo (Song Kang-ho), who escapes with the map while Park is distracted by a gunfight with bounty hunter Park Do-wu (Jung Woo-sung).
The occasional historical exposition and the map itself are McGuffins in Kim's movie, as it's the journey of these three anti-heroes -- or rather, their constant chases and fights -- that propels the film.
While Jung, a good-looking lead and major star back home, competently plays his good guy with the requisite amount of world-weary stoicism (minus the Clint Eastwood eye squint), it's Song and Lee who make this movie that much more entertaining.
Song's comic, scheming presence is very much a throwback to Eli Wallach's Mexican bandit, and "The Weird" describes to a T Lee's character, whose looks and attitude are more akin to contemporary anime. He wears a black waistcoat with a white open-neck shirt, his face framed by a jagged hairstyle that covers one eye, his left ear adorned with multiple piercings.
Kim's movie is a handsome, big-budget production filled with vibrant settings and skilled camera work.
The opening-set piece on the train and the chaotic gunfight in the open-air Ghost Market, in particular, are well-paced. It's bravado filmmaking that is definitely crowd-pleasing.
"The Good The Bad The Weird"
South Korea, in Korean with subtitles
Directed by Kim Jee-woon
Screens at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dole Cannery theater as HIFF's closing-night film. Tickets are $10.
SPECIAL EVENTS
» Actor Jung Woo-sung will receive an Achievement in Acting award from the festival at 10 a.m. Saturday during a press conference the Halekulani's Garden Terrace.
» A party celebrating Jung's award and marking the closing of the festival will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday at Harbor Court Bistro. Tickets are $20. Call 550-8457 or visit www.hiff.org.
Source: StarBulletin.com (Hawaii)
http://www.starbulletin.com/features/20081015_action_and_anti-heroes_propel_good_bad_weird.html
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October 16, 2008
Park Eun Hye in New Interactive Drama, ‘Detective Mr. Lee’
Actress Park Eun Hye who is shrouded by news of her miscarriage recently, will be joining hands with Lee Tae Gon in South Korea’s first ever “interactive” drama “Detective Mr. Lee“.
Under the trend of commercializing Internet TV (IPTV), Park Eun Hye and Lee Tae Gon will play in the new detective drama “Detective Mr. Lee”, a joint collaboration between KT’s megaTV and a television production company. This will be a drama that is different from what you see on the television. It allows viewers to interactive in real-time and do various customizations. Viewers will not only be able to choose the background music according to their preferences, they will also be able to appear in the drama through some recruiting events held beforehand.
In the drama, Lee Tae Gon, Lee Won Jong and Choi Pil Ri will form the “Lee surname” trio team in the police department while Park Eun Hye will play as a female detective with both beauty and intelligence. Her surname is also Lee. The total length of the drama is 8 episodes and is slapped with the “Korean version of CSI (Crime Scene Investigation)” during the announcement.
Sounds cool huh? But I wonder how will the drama turn out to be. Customization of television drama. Will this be the trend future dramas may go? Anyway I’m glad Park Eun Hye is moving on her new drama, hope she has gotten over her miscarriage incident.
Source: hanfever.com, image from empas.com
http://www.hanfever.com/2008/10/16/park-eun-hye-in-new-interactive-drama-detective-mr-lee/
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October 16, 2008
Koreans go to the vault for new releases
Older films like 'Sa-Kwa' finally see theatrical exhibition
Written by Han Sunhee
SEOUL -- Thanks to a lackluster movie crop, older Korean films are finally getting their chance at the local box office -- some several years after they were completed. Helmer Kang Yi-kwan's "Sa-Kwa" opened Oct. 16 through co-distributors Chungeorahm and Showbox, while helmer Bae Hyung-joon's "Once Upon a Time in Seoul" will be released Nov. 6 by distributor Studio2.0.
"Sa-Kwa" wrapped in December 2004 and premiered in several international film festivals, but didn't get a local theatrical release. Pic won the new screenwriter award at San Sebastian, and Fipresci Prize at Toronto in 2005.
The melodrama was originally skedded for a 2005 release, but was repeatedly delayed by distributor Showbox, which instead focused its efforts on helmer Bong Joon-ho's "The Host."
Produced by MK Pictures, "Once Upon a Time in Seoul" also wrapped at the end of 2006. Recalling megahit "Taegukgi," which scored more than 10 million admissions in 2004, "Seoul" is the story of two boys who suffered during the Korean War.
According to sources, the production team had confidence in the pic's box office potential when it was developed -- even though it stars relatively unknown young actors.
But once the Korean Wave peaked, the pic was regarded as too risky and lacking in marketing hooks. MK Pictures instead concentrated on "Forever the Moment" -- a hit earlier this year -- and kept "Seoul" waiting. Originally called "Boys Don't Cry," pic has also been retitled and is now distributed locally and internationally by Studio2.0.
The older films are getting their chance as there is a scarcity of big local films this fall in South Korea.
"The total amount of investment and production in domestic industry has conspicuously decreased since last year. That is causing the shortage of local film for distributors," said Lee Sang-moo, head of Korean film marketing and PR at CJ.
CJ this week releases romantic comedy "My Wife Got Married" and a low-budget independent feature "Summer Whispers." Except for a period drama "Portrait of a Beauty" on Nov. 13, the company hasn't confirmed distribution of any other local films until its in-house-produced romantic comedy "Lost and Found," in mid-December.
Showbox also is desperately hoping that the industry's fortunes will turn around. It is only planning to release only one local film, "Antique" on Nov. 13, before the end of this year. Helmer Yoo Ha's epic movie "A Frozen Flower" had been set for the end of the year, but post-production procedures issues may change that.
"There were too many local films considering the size of Korean market in the previous couple of years," says Park Jin-wii, PR team chief of Showbox. "Now it's time to adapt. The important thing is to distribute well-made quality pictures into the market, rather than volume or quantity."
Source: Variety Asia
http://varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/7245/ |
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October 15, 2008
Jeon Do-yeon and Younha Chosen as Female Role Models
Award-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon and fast-rising singer Younha were among 20 female role models selected by Women News. In marking the 20th anniversary of its founding, Korea’s leading newspaper for women selected women who have distinguished themselves in their respective field by demonstrating their pioneering and indomitable spirit.
Cannes International Film Festival’s best actress award winner Jeon was selected for continuing to challenge herself to be the best in the world despite having already reached the pinnacle. Younha was applauded for pursuing her dream in the face of various difficulties. She dropped out of high school and went to Japan by herself to become a singer at the tender age of 15 without any support from an agency.
In addition to Jeon and Younha, the list of role models included news anchor Kim Ju-ha, world-renowned cellist Hannah Chang, Olympic weightlifting champion Jang Mi-ran, professional game player Seo Ji-soo, and alpinist Kim Young-mi.
Source: KBS World
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/entertainment/enter_chart_detail.htm?No=8374
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October 16, 2008
Actor Won Bin's Parents' House Wins 2008 Korean Architecture Award
 
The house actor Won Bin built for his parents in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province has won the 2008 Korean Architecture Award. IDMM Architects, which was in charge of designing the house, said the house won the award on September 22.
 
The 406.46㎡ house, located on national highway 42, boasts an innovative structure. The first floor of the house leads directly to the third floor, without a second floor.
Apparently, Won Bin showed a photograph of Jennifer Lopez's Beverly Hills mansion to architect Kwak Hee-soo, and also asked him to incorporate memories of his old childhood home in Gangwon Province into the design.
The kitchen is adorned with red bricks and features an old-style cooking-range that can heat the floor of the guest room.
Source: KBS Global, captures from empas.com
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1551024_11858.html
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October 16, 2008
Film fest focuses on directors, horror
The sixth Asiana International Short Film Festival will kick off its six-day run on Nov. 5 at CineCube in Seoul, featuring 70 films from 30 countries.
"This year, we have received a total of 1,723 short films from 69 countries, which made it quite difficult for the jury to decide the finalists, because many of them demonstrated a high level of creativity," said chief festival organizer Ahn Sung-ki, at a news conference in Seoul on Tuesday.
The opening films are "Seven Superheroes vs. Monster F" by Korean director Park Jay and "Manon on the Asphalt" by French filmmakers Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont.
"Seven Superheroes," a world premiere, involves seven people with supernatural abilities who happen to live in the same building, pretending to be normal. When a monster attacks, they join forces to fight it off, but things begin to change unpredictably after their brief victory.
"Manon on the Asphalt" features a female protagonist who has an accident while riding home on her bicycle. As she sits in the street waiting for the ambulance, an out-of-body experience lets her see her friends one by one, offering an engaging bird's eye view of the world.
Toward the end of the festival, the jury will select the winner in the international competition section, which will be the festival's official closing film. Fifty-two films are currently competing for the top festival award.
One of the key programs at the festival is "AISFF In the Air Program," a selection of short films that will be screened on Asiana flights - an alternative distribution channel for innovative filmmakers and a new revenue source. This program, started in 2006, has been successful, as distributors and directors have paid attention to the short films on inflight screenings.
Ahn Sung-ki and Kim Hye-soo at a press conference for the sixth Asiana International Short Film Festival, which will run Nov. 5-10 at CineCube in Seoul
Jury member Yun Jong-chan said that audiences will be able to enjoy high-quality short films in a wide range of genres ranging from thought-provoking dramas to heart-pounding thrillers.
"We will try to discover promising filmmakers who demonstrate strong potential for creative ideas," Yun said.
Kim Hye-soo attended the press conference as a member of the jury, attracting strong media attention. Kim, who recently starred in "Modern Boy," said she felt honored to be on the jury for the festival.
"This is the second time that I have joined a short film festival as a member of the jury, and I hope I can find more Korean short films that have great potential," she said.
Aside from the main international competition section, the festival has three special programs. First, the Focus on Directors section will feature short films from both well-known international filmmakers and up-and-coming directors.
The second special program, titled Shorts with Theme: Nightmare in November, will screen horror features that the organizers said will leave lasting images. The third special section - Mix Planet: Bonjour, France - will introduce new short films from French filmmakers.
For further information about the film festival, which runs through Nov. 10, visit www.aisff.org
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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October 16, 2008
Searching for Memories in "Library"
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Eugene, left, Lee Dong-wook, star in director Kim Jung-kwon's "Heartbreak Library''
Director Kim Jung-kwon's new movie "Heartbreak Library" brings the story of two young people tracing their past, only to discover the sad, yet true reality of love and life.
Both holding on to a painful memory, the couple meet unexpectedly, and their trip to the past drives them to the point where they finally realize that it was not the memory that was torturing them, but their obsession with it.
Eun-soo, played by singer/actress Eugene, is a librarian who takes her work very seriously. So when she discovers a tall young man dressed in a black suit ripping the pages out of books stacked next to him, she calls him a criminal.
Jun-oh, played by Lee Dong-wook, is a sad-eyed man who tears out page 198 from library books, which explains the Korean title of the film "Page 198 of His Book."
He explains to the curious, and furious, Eun-soo that his former girlfriend left him a note saying to check page 198 without mentioning the title of the book. Eun-soo, who has a personal crisis regarding an ex-boyfriend herself, sympathizes with the strange man in black, a chef, and determines to help him find the book.
The story continues as Eun-soo traces the address of the former girlfriend through the library database and later discovers why Jun-oh is so ardent in finding her, leaving her at a crossroads of her feelings and sympathy toward Jun-oh.
"Heartbreak Library" is about dealing with memories: leaving the bygones and preparing for what the future has in store. When a friend mentions to Eun-soo ― who records her past in her scheduler ― that people write future plans in a scheduler, not things that have already happened, Eun-soo replies that sometimes, reading the past reminds you what you have been thinking. For her and Jun-oh, their memories are just too bittersweet and important to forget.
Overall the film is light and pretty, but some viewers may wonder why Eun-soo is so fond of Jun-oh, even to the extent where she hops on the train with him to visit his ex and also about the rather cliche ending. The scene where Jun-oh prepares a sushi dish for Eun-soo was also a bit puzzling, as the hands were evidently not Lee's, drawing awkward laughter from the audience.
However, the beautiful scenery of the sea from Eun-soo's home, the fresh trickling rain of a summer day, the simple yet relatable lines and plot, plus Eugene's and Lee's natural acting, pulled the film from mere disappointment, presenting a light, romantic and slow interpretation of memories.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/10/135_32795.html
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October 16, 2008
Bae Yong-jun to Receive Culture Medal
Hallyu star Bae Yong-jun has been announced as the recipient of the ceremonial Culture Medal. Upon hearing the news, the actor responded, "I will try to live up to the honor by working harder."
In an interview with Yonhap News, he said winning the award was a "great responsibility" bestowed upon him and--though he felt he was lacking in many ways--he would "work harder to introduce more of Korea's culture to the world."
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had recommended Bae for the Culture Medal due to his part in bringing Korean popular culture to the world through the TV drama, "Winter Sonata."
Bae will be receiving the medal at the Chungcheongbuk-do Province Cheongju Arts Center on October 18th, during the "2008 Culture Day" event.
The Culture Medal is a government award given to figures who have made a cultural impact through various fields. Lee Young-ae won a Culture Medal in 2007 for her influence on the Hallyu phenomenon with the drama "Daejanggeum."
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1551055_11858.html |
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October 16, 2008
[HERALD INTERVIEW] 'TV shows need time out'
Kim Tae-ho, 32, is now so famous he is recognized on the street. He is so busy that he hardly has time to sleep, let alone date.
He is one of the most famous directors in the field of Korea's television entertainment, with MBC's highly popular and even legendary reality program "Infinite Challenge" under his belt.
But Kim seems more concerned, rather than charged and satisfied. "I need a break. I've been saying it for a long time. But what I mean by a break is that the program needs a break. I know I would want to come back to work just after a week of rest," Kim said in an interview with The Korea Herald at the MBC center in Yeouido.
Pointing to Korea's ineffective production systems, Kim talked about his work, ethics and vision.
Kim Tae-ho [Magazinet]
After running for over three straight years, every week, Infinite Challenge has had its share of ups and downs. It enjoyed lofty viewer ratings for an entertainment show -- over 30 percent -- and of course, much lower ones. It was criticized for backpedaling at times, but mostly praised for pioneering a new form of entertainment show where most were stuck in a rut of comedians picking at each other's looks. Along with the success of Infinite Challenge, where six comedians with larger-than-life personalities are put in different situations and given challenges each week, Kim has earned his fame as well.
"Infinite Challenge is definitely the most meaningful program that I have directed," Kim said.
The show was radically different than its peers, with the closest attention paid to detail -- shown with witty subtitles and nimble-fingered editing. The show is said to have introduced for the very first time where the characters are fixed, and the theme changes from a talk show to a game show and even a soap opera, each week.
Infinite Challenge, indeed, has become a harbinger of a new form of reality TV, showing celebrities in "real" situations and challenges.
There is the "Family on the Go" on SBS about a celebrity "family" going on field trips to suburban areas on a mission to help senior farmers. MBC's "Just Married" is about four or five pairs of celebrities who act as if they are married. KBS's "Two Days, One Night" is about six young men, all of them stars in their own fields, going on wild trips and playing survival games.
These semi-reality programs have hit the spot, with Korean viewers seeking refuge from the daily grind by watching "real" reactions from stars who were otherwise considered out of touch.
The difference between these shows and Infinite Challenge is that most of their themes, or formats, have been used on Kim's program as an episode.
Instead of setting a certain format as the other shows do, Kim says his show uses the main characters as the format, with the topic changing weekly, thereby leaving "infinite" possibilities, and also an "infinite challenge" for the creators.
A perfectionist by reputation, Kim is not hesitant to point to his accomplishments. "The reputation and acknowledgement of entertainment show directors have gotten much higher compared to where it was when I entered MBC in 2001, in many parts thanks to the success of Infinite Challenge," he said.
A graduate of Korea University, Kim forwent his initial choice of an internship at a prominent daily newspaper and applied for a position of program director, widely referred to as PD in Korea, at MBC. "I don't know why, but I had this ungrounded conviction that I will become a PD at MBC," Kim said.
"My naive reason was that I always enjoyed watching television. I simply thought I will get to do a lot of TV watching if I entered the broadcasting station. I couldn't have been more wrong," Kim said, laughing.
His first position was an assistant for an entertainment news program called "Section TV."
While building his career, Kim said he lacked close supervision fro mseniors and was left to learn the ropes himself. "One of my goals is to let my subordinates make as much of their abilities as possible by urging them more creativity and letting them feel a sense of control and responsibility," he said.
After almost a decade in the Korean television business, Kim says he feels that he must now seek a bigger dream. "I am on a payroll as an employee. But at this point in my life, it is more about enjoying the success rather than earning more money. The next ambition of mine, instead, is to do something more constructive," he said.
In Korea, each TV network hires production directors and other necessary staff to produce their flagship programs. Smaller production companies also sell their items and products to nationwide TV networks, but at a minor scale.
As a good role model, Kim pointed out to the Netherlands' Endemol production company, which created Big Brother, the original TV reality show.
Endemol, with subsidiaries and joint ventures in 23 countries, are also responsible for hit shows like "1 vs. 100," "Fear Factor," "Deal or No Deal," and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."
"We have heard criticisms from such production companies that we waste so much energy in one show by having to change the format every week or two. For them it is about having one format and selling them to different buyers," Kim said.
The Korean market has not matured enough for such a system, and one format is only worth a mere 300,000 won or so, he explained. "This is not just about my dream. I think MBC and other television channels must seek a way to make profits other than by relying on (advertisements and so forth) and instead try harder to sell program formats to foreign markets," he added.
His future-oriented and innovative thinking is well represented in his everyday life and style. His cast members often joke on air that their director is more fashionable than themselves.
Kim also describes himself as a loner. "I am not fit (to work) for an organization. My style is to do things by myself and I get defensive when I am told what to do," he said.
For this, he does not rely on factions and instead puts everything into trying to create high-quality end products, Kim said.
His inspirations for formats of Infinite Challenge come at the most aloof moments in daily lives. "Once I was walking down the street and saw the poster of the movie 'The Good, The Bad, The Weird,' and I immediately thought, wait a minute, we have our own good, bad and weird guys in our cast," he said.
Hence came the recent airing of "Run Away with the Money Bag," which garnered high viewer ratings. Each of the six cast members were assigned to carry a brief case to a destination. A winner would be the one who brought the brief case that carried real money.
"Without a system where we can have a break in between seasons, a single format can easily bore the viewers, especially after a year," he said.
As a reward for his hard work, Kim said that he is finally going on a month-long vacation in November, possibly to Europe.
"The task for our team is to continue stepping forward, ahead of others, and show them the way to go," Kim said, looking ever more confident.
By Lee Joo-hee ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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October 16, 2008
Choi Jin-sil’s Death Was Suicide, Autopsy Reveals
An autopsy showed no evidence of drugs in the body of Choi Jin-sil, the leading actress found dead in her home on Oct. 2. With the finding, prosecutors and police plan to rule her death a suicide.
“A thorough autopsy of Choi’s body showed no excessive amount of toxic substances found in sleeping pills and anti-depressants. The food found in her digestive tract did not contain any unusual substances,” said an official with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. “This confirms that the cause of Choi’s death is undeniably suicide and it will silence rumors and suspicions surrounding her death.”
Although it was revealed in the police investigation that Choi suffered from depression and had taken anti-depressant for last six months, the autopsy did not suggest that depression was directly linked to her cause of death.
Credits: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21dat ... 0/200810160018.html |
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October 17, 2008
Jun Jin to Hold Fan Meeting in Japan
Jun Jin, who is enjoying a personal renaissance in variety shows, will hold a large scale fan meeting in Japan.
Jun Jin, who is also a member of the group Shinhwa, successfully released his solo debut album and held his first solo concert in Japan this April. His upcoming fan meeting will be held on November 3 at Nakano Sun Plaza, Tokyo under the title of “Jun Jin’s Fan Meeting; 2008 Autumn Special.”
KNTV, a Japanese network specializing in Korean content and the organizer of the event, said that Jun Jin is enjoying a great deal of popularity not only as a singer, actor and TV host, but also as a regular guests on entertainment programs such as “Highly Ambitious: Season 2,” “Good Sunday,” and “Infinite Challenge.”
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1551261_11858.html
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October 16, 2008
Korean Diva Nixed by SAC Again
The Seoul Art Center has rejected once again the request of Korean diva Insooni to hold a concert there. One of Korea’s most admired singers, Insooni, has submitted an opera house lease request for next year’s concert, but has been refused again. Her agent has said that the SAC review board has dropped her after assessing the application. An SAC official said that most pop culture performances take place in July and August, but that Insooni has requested to hold the concert in October, which was the main factor working against her.
Prior to her March national tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of her debut, Insooni has criticized the SAC for refusing to rent out the concert hall to pop artists, when the center claims to be the signature venue for Korean cultural performances.
Source: KBS World
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/e ... _detail.htm?No=8392 |
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October 17, 2008
Lee Jung-hyun Returns to Korean Stage after 2 Years
Singer Lee Jung-hyun will return to the Korean stage after two years of absence. Lee will showcase her dynamic performance on October 18th at the 10th Korea-China Song Festival held to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The festival is to be held in the World Cup Stadium in Jeju Island.
Hosted jointly by KBS and CCTV of China, the Korea-China Song Festival will feature a number of hot artists from the two nations. Lee will be joined by TVXQ, Insooni, Girls’ Generation, and ShiNEE from the Korean side. The Korean and Chinese musicians will sing in duets and present a unique repertoire that integrates both pop cultures.
Lee is said to be very excited to be meeting her Korean fans again. She has been working mainly in China for the past two years, leading the new wave of Korean pop culture or Hallyu there. She is also working on her seventh album and looking into a movie role. KBS will air the 10th Korea-China Song Festival on October 26th and the Chinese audience will get to see it on CCTV.
Source: KBS World
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/e ... _detail.htm?No=8393 |
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