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November 1, 2008
In saving for a rainy day, star earns award
Singer-actor Rain [YONHAP]
Since he was a child, Rain has always kept his money safe in the bank. Despite being one of Korea抯 most successful entertainers, it抯 a habit he抯 kept till this day.
The star抯 sensible saving practices were recognized at the 45th National Saving Day last Tuesday, where he was awarded a Presidential Commendation.
揥hen people were calculating yields and putting money in equity funds and other investments that promised higher returns, I placed my cash in bank accounts, a habit I inherited from my parents, |
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November 2, 2008
Filmmakers eye hit with stories from other genres
A good movie tends to have a good script. What if a director fails to get one? No need to worry, because Korean filmmakers are quick to borrow from other genres such as comics and novels.
A striking case in point is "My Wife Got Married," a provocative tale about bigamy adapted from the bestselling novel of the same title, written by Park Hyun-wook. The movie debuted on Oct. 23 and shot up to No. 1 at the box office here, demonstrating that good storytelling works across different platforms.
Other filmmakers with a similar cross-breeding approach seem to have taken heart from the positive performance of "My Wife."
"Antique," to be released Nov. 13, falls into the same category, though the original story comes from a bestselling Japanese comic series. Directed by Min Kyu-dong, the film features Joo Ji-hoon, who surged to stardom through his stellar performance in the hit TV drama "Gung." In the movie, which explicitly targets female audiences, Joo plays Jin-heok, a cake shop owner who serves food on preposterously expensive antique chinaware, while other popular actors such as Kim Jae-uk and Yu A-in strengthen the cast.
Another major movie adapted from a different genre is "Sunjeong Manhwa," directed by Ryu Jang-ha. The romantic film, to be released on Nov. 27, is based on a record-breaking Korean comic serialized on Daum, a major portal website.
The original comics by Kang Do-young demonstrated the power of the online readership, attracting a total of 60 million page views and 500,000 comments from visitors. This surprising achievement encouraged Ryu to work on the film adaptation, but he did not take chances. He went on to sign up on Yoo Ji-tae ("Oldboy"), one of the most sought-after Korean actors to pull off a transfer of popularity from online to offline.
"Sunjeong Manhwa," which means "Romantic Comics" in Korean, involves a 30-year-old businessman who encounters a high school girl in the elevator every morning on his way to work -- a fateful meeting that prompts a cascade of emotionally charged plot turns that gripped numerous online fans.
Although the movie industry's interest in popular stories in other genres is not new, it gained momentum when "200 Pounds Beauty," starring Kim A-jung, became an unexpected box-office hit in 2006. A small but significant detail about that film is that its original story comes from a popular Japanese comic series.
Korea also has a host of creative minds in the comics industry whose bestselling comic series are often adapted. The most representative figure is Hur Young-man, two of his comic works having been successfully adapted for the big screen. "Tazza: The High Rollers," based on Hur's best-selling series, was made into a convincing film by Choi Dong-hoon. Another comic series of Hur's, "Le Grand Chef," also staged a respectable performance at the box office even though its sprawling story had to be condensed into tight movie form.
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected]), posters from empas.com
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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November 2, 2008
Actor Kim Wins Top Prize at Korea Drama Festival Awards
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Drama stars recieve the prizes from the Korea Drama Awards in 2008
Korean Drama Festival, which kicked off in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province
Saturday. /Yonhap
Actor Kim Myung-min won the top prize at the 2008 Korea Drama Festival for his role as Maestro Kang (affectionately called "Kang Mae") in the hit drama "Beethoven Virus."
The Korea Drama Awards opened the five-day festival, which kicked off Saturday in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province. The festival is a joint collaboration among major broadcasters KBS, SBS and MBC and various cable TV stations in Korea.
A total of 120 dramas had been reviewed, all of which were aired between Oct. 1 in 2007 and Sept. 30 this year.
Kim's character is talented but choosy in Beethoven Virus, the first drama of its kind, which depicts the lives of classical musicians, an orchestra and ordinary people who dream of becoming musicians.
The Best Drama award went to KBS's "Mom's Dead Upset" while Choi Soo-jong of "Daejoyeong," an epic drama, and Kim Ha-neul, who played a picky actress in "On Air," won the Best Actor and Best Actress award, respectively.
A new hallyu award was given to actor Bae Yong-joon (better known as Yonsama), who didn't appear at the ceremony.
There were also awards for Netizen Popularity, which went to Yoon-ah, a member of Girls' Generation (SNSD) for her role in the daily drama "You're My Destiny," Kim Bum for stealing the show in "East of Eden," comedienne Kim Hyun-sook of tvN's hit cable series "Rude Miss Young-ae Season 3," and Kim Hee-jung for the popular and long-running "First Wives Club."
An individual contribution award was given to Baek Il-sub of "Mom's Dead Upset," as did a juror's special award go to Kim Hae-sook of "First Wives Club."
About 20 Korean drama stars and major foreign broadcasters from six countries participated in a forum to seek ways to promote cooperation between countries to improve the production of dramas during the festival.
Under the theme of "The Past, Present and Future of Asian Dramas," the festival will continue, with various programs such as the "3rd Next Generation Actor Contest" Nov. 3, "3 People 3 Color Drama Concert" Nov. 4 and the closing ceremony featuring drama soundtracks display Nov. 5.
R&B ballad duo Fly To the Sky, singer and Shinhwa member Shin Hye-sung and boy band Super Junior graced the opening ceremony.
The festival began as the first to boost hallyu dramas in 2006 and gained international attention in 2007 on account of its growing reputation among drama producers and actors.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/11/201_33728.html |
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November 2, 2008
Top Balladeer Gives New Twist
Singer Shin Goes Strong Both in Korea and Japan
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Singer Shin Seung-hun
For a singer, it is important to have a signature style. But if that style stays for more than 15 years, that conventional trait may seem a bit boring for fast-paced fans today. That's why singer Shin Seung-hun decided to give a "twist" to his music.
"I've done mambo, rock and roll and even gospel, but people tend to forget those numbers and just put me under the label 'ballad singer'," Shin, dubbed Korea's "King of Ballads," told The Korea Times during an interview last week.
So the 40-year-old singer released his new project "Three Waves: Unexpected Twist'' which includes three separate albums that feature three different genres. The first album of the project is "Radio Wave," featuring modern rock.
Singer Shin Seung-hun released his new project 揟hree Waves: Unexpected Twist |
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October 27, 2008
Gina Kim to Re-make The Housemaid
A remake of Korean cinema milestone, The Housemaid, the 1960 masterpiece by eccentric genius KIM Ki-young, is being developed by production company Mirovision. Award-winner Gina Kim (Never Forever) is attached as director of the project.
The original film reemerged on the world stage this year after becoming recipient of a digital restoration grant from Martin Scorsese抯 World Cinema Foundation. It has since screened at Cannes, Pusan, and most recently the Tokyo International Film Festival.
The Housemaid is a drama in which a mild-mannered piano teacher succumbs to the wiles of a sultry young maid, bringing a spiral of ruin to his family. The film was a huge commercial success upon its release, so much so, that original director KIM himself remade it twice as Woman of Fire (1971) and Woman of Fire |
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NEWS INDEX page 62
November 3, 2008: Avex offers the world for "World"
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November 3, 2008
Avex offers the world for "World"
Japanese conglom buys Korean TV drama for record price
Written by Han Sunhee
SEOUL - Korean production shingle YEG has sold new drama series "The World That They Live In" to Japanese music, talent and film conglom Avex. At some $2.4 million, deal is one of the highest prices paid for a Korean entertainment property since the slowdown of the Korean Wave a couple of years ago.
Show began broadcasting in Korea on Monday last week and scored an audience rating of 7.1% for KBS-2 network. Avex has not announced broadcast plans for Japan.
"World" stars Hyun Bin ("I Am Happy") and actress Song Hye-kyo ("Hwang Ji Yi") in her first TV role since "Full House," which was a hit around the Asian region four years ago.
Directed by Pyo Min-soo, "World" sets Song and Hyun as young TV drama directors working for a broadcast company.
Source: Variety Asia, image from empas.com
http://varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/7381/ |
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 Weekly Box Office 2008.10.31 ~ 2008.11.02 3-day Gross/Total Gross (won)
1. My Wife Got Married (South Korea) 1,801,231,500 / 6,843,015,000
2. The Bank Job (U.S.) 966,921,000 / 1,124,833,500
3. Eagle Eye (U.S.) 937,929,500 / 12,880,874,000
4. Body of Lies (U.S.) 684,574,000 / 2,869,008,000
5. Mamma Mia! (U.S.) 343,559,000 / 28,021,335,000
6. Fly Me To The Moon (Belgium) 296,006,000 / 317,146,500
7. Departures (Japan) 259,872,500 / 352,021,000
8. Crush And Blush (South Korea) 179,268,500 / 3,335,433,000
9. Painted Skin (Hong Kong) 117,820,000 / 852,957,000
10. 26 Years Diary (Japan) 92,161,500 / 124,117,500
Source: KOFIC |
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November 3, 2008
Bae Yong-jun to Meet Japanese Fans Via Satellite Broadcast
Actor Bae Yong-jun will meet with his Japanese fans through satellite TV.
Bae's management agency said a large-scale fan event entitled "Christmas with Family - Although We're Far Apart" will be held at the Yokohama Arena on December 14. The event will be broadcast via satellite coverage and link Bae with his fans in Japan.
Hallyu singer Ryu, Kang Cheol and Woo Sung-min will take part in the event. The special year-end event will also feature never-before-seen footage of Bae's everyday life in Japan during his recent promotional visit.
Twelve thousand tickets were sold out almost immediately after ticket sales began.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/mcontents/entertainment/1553872_11692.html |
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November 4, 2008
"Wife" cleans up a second time at Korean B.O.
Audiences flock to local hit, shun Hollywood remakes
Written by Han Sunhee
SEOUL -- CJ Entertainment's "My Wife Got Married" ruled again at the Korean box office last weekend. Pic took first place in its second week, adding $1.32 million from 260,000 admissions on 471 screens; cume is $5.2 million from 1,020,000 admissions to date.
Meanwhile, Elisha Cuthbert starrer "My Sassy Girl," based on the Korean film, had a disappointing bow, opening outside the top 10. It took $37,900 from 7,432 admissions during its four-day run on 69 screens handled by distributor Showbox.
"The Bank Job," starring Jason Statham, opened at No. 2, with $882,000 from 173,000 admissions during a four-day run on 275 screens handled by Sidus FNH.
"Eagle Eye" slipped to No. 3 in its fourth weekend, adding $739,500 off 145,005 admissions on 328 screens; cume is $10.2 million from 2,008,000 admissions.
"Body of Lies" was at No. 4, with a $520,000 weekend take from 102,000 admissions on 286 screens. It has grossed $2.2 million from 444,000 admissions to date.
The economic downturn has only accelerated the local film industry's troubles.
Pics below the top 10 drew fewer than 50,000 admissions.
Among the new releases, 3-D animated pic "Fly Me to the Moon" took sixth place, grossing $239,000 from 47,000 admissions on 193 screens for new distributor Cinergy.
Two new Japanese films were notable on the chart. Helmer Takita Yojiro's "Departures" opened at No. 7, with $300,000 from 59,000 admissions on 203 screens for buyer and distributor KD Media.
Based on the true story of a young Korean man's sacrifice in Japan, "26 Years Diary" ranked No. 10 with $102,000 from 20,000 admissions on 183 screens for distrib Lotte Entertainment.
Source: Variety Asia
http://varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/7404/ |
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November 3, 2008
Debutant My Wife Got Married leads box office
With SON Ye-jin and KIM Joo-hyuck in the leading roles, My Wife Got Married opened in its first weekend at the top of the box office. Director CHONG Yunsu抯 romantic drama sold 515,464 tickets.
The fall seems to be the season for Korean romantic dramas, Heartbreak Library, another newly released film, found itself back at place seven of the box office with 47,000 viewers. Director KIM Jung-kwon抯 film stars singer/actress Eugene and LEE Dong-wook.
Heartbreak Library tells the story of a librarian who is first furious at a man who rips out page 198 of library books, then becomes intrigued, and finally decides to help the man who is heartbroken after his girlfriend broke up with him, leaving a note to look up page 198, without mentioning which book.
My Wife Got Married stars SON as a liberal woman who is an enthusiastic football fan. She holds off a marriage with her boyfriend (KIM Joo-hyuck). In the end they marry, however, after some time, she decides she also wants to be married to another man, without divorcing her current husband.
The third Korean film in the top ten is another romantic drama, LEE Kyoung-mi抯 Crush and Blush. KONG Hyo-jin plays the lead character in the romantic comedy. She is a marginalised teacher who forms a complot with the daughter of the married man she is in love with to end his extra marital affair. Crush and Blush dropped from place two to place five and attracted a total of 436,054 spectators.
Credits: Yi Ch抋ng-ho (KOFIC), image from empas.com
http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/KOFIC/Channel?task=kofic.user.eng.b_filmnews.command.NewsView1Cmd&searchPage=1&Gesipan_SCD=1&Gesimul_SNO=1110
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November 4, 2008
KIM Beom and YOO Seung-ho cast in 71
Rising young stars KIM Beom and YOO Seung-ho will act side-by-side in the upcoming film 71. Feature film debutant JO Seung-hui will be at the helm.
The film is based on a true incident which took place in Pohang on 10 August 1950 when 71 young soldiers in training were facing hundreds of elite North Korean soldiers in a twelve hour battle.
KIM Beom became the heartthrob of many teenage girls through the popular sitcom High Kick. Since then, he played in the films Hellcatst and Death Bell.
YOO endeared audiences with his role of a spoilt city brat who is forced to live with his mute grandmother in the countryside in the film The Way Home. His latest film is 2006抯 Hearty Paws.
Auditions for the remaining roles are still in progress. Filming is scheduled for early 2009 and the film is expected to be released next year fall.
Credits: Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)
http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/KOFIC/Channel?task=kofic.user.eng.b_filmnews.command.NewsView1Cmd&searchPage=1&Gesipan_SCD=1&Gesimul_SNO=1111
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 Official website (English) goldenhorse.org.tw
November 4, 2008
HONG Sangsoo, NA Hong-jin, and HUR Jin-ho films at Taiwan fest
Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival selected HONG Sangsoo抯 Night and Day, NA Hong-jin抯 The Chaser, and HUR Jin-ho抯 Happiness, according to the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF).
Night and Day and Happiness will screen in the Gala presentation section, while The Chaser will feature in the Midnight people section.
This year抯 release Night and Day has already traveled to multiple international film festivals, quintessential of HONG Sangsoo films. The story about an artist who fled to Paris to avoid arrest over smoking marijuana, played at Jeonju International Film Festival, Buenos Aires Film Festival, and Berlin International Film Festival.
Happiness stars LIM Soo-jung and HWANG Jung-min as two seriously ill people who meet and fall in love in a hospital. Director HUR is best known for his widely praised Christmas in August.
The Chaser is a low-budget thriller which became a sleeper hit, in the process, turning the character actors KIM Yoon-suk and HA Jung-woo into stars laden with awards. The dark thriller is NA抯 directorial feature film debut and like his leading men, he and his film are collecting awards.
PIFF抯 program coordinator PARK Sung-ho has been appointed as a member of the jury in charge of the NETPAC award. The Taiwan film festival opens its doors on 11 November.
Credits: Yi Ch抋ng-ho (KOFIC)
http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/KOFIC/Channel?task=kofic.user.eng.b_filmnews.command.NewsView1Cmd&searchPage=1&Gesipan_SCD=1&Gesimul_SNO=1112
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November 4, 2008
Overseas sales for KIM Ki-duk's Dream
Dream, the 15th film by well-known Korean director KIM Ki-duk, has recently concluded a sales deal to Taiwan, according to international sales company Showbox.
The film has been previously sold to France, Brazil, Poland, and Turkey.
It was also announced that Dream has been selected as the closing film at the Mar del Plata film festival in Argentina, one of the most prestigious festivals in Latin America. The film previously received its international premiere at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain in September.
Dream received its local release on October 9 through distributor Sponge Entertainment. Through October 26, the film has recorded 85,635 admissions.
Credits: Darcy Paquet (KOFIC)
http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/KOFIC/Channel?task=kofic.user.eng.b_filmnews.command.NewsView1Cmd&searchPage=1&Gesipan_SCD=1&Gesimul_SNO=1113
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November 4, 2008
Arashi Whips Fans Into Frenzy
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Japanese idol group Arashi returned to Seoul over the weekend, staging four sold-out concerts
at the Olympic Fencing Stadium in southern Seoul./ Courtesy of J-Storm
Popular Japanese pop group Arashi whipped thousands of Korean fans into a state of frenzy, as they staged four sold-out concerts in Seoul over the weekend.
It has been two years since Arashi performed in Seoul, but judging from the deafening screams at the Olympic Fencing Stadium, their fans are as crazy about them as ever. The group is in the middle of a three-city Asian tour, "Arashi Around Asia 2008."
Arashi, composed of Masaki Aiba, Jun Matsumoto, Kazunari Ninomiya, Satoshi Ohno and Sho Sakurai, opened the concert with "Love So Sweet." The song was the theme song for the popular Japanese drama "Hana Yori Dango Returns (Boys Over Flowers)."
Throughout the nearly three-hour concert, Arashi performed many of their hit songs "Step and Go," "Happiness," "Kitto Daijoubu (You'll Definitely be Okay)," ``We Can Make It," and ``Truth."
Each of the members had solo performances, showing off their distinct personalities and talents. Sakura rapped and danced to "Hip Pop Boogie, while Aiba sang a cheerful number "Hello Goodbye." Ninomiya played the piano while singing "Niji (Rainbow)," and Ohno showed off his smooth vocals and dance moves to "Take Me Faraway."
Matsumoto grabbed attention when he walked upside down on the ceiling, before flipping down and performing "Yabai Yabai Yabai." Arashi definitely knew how to please the Korean audience. Even though they spoke mainly in Japanese, group members sprinkled their comments with Korean phrases throughout the concert. They even included Korean lyrics in some songs, such as "A-RA-SHI."
Sakurai even showed off the Wonder Girls' dance steps for the hit song "Nobody," while the crowd sang the lyrics. At their last concert Sunday evening, Arashi gave four encores before finally ending with the upbeat "Fight Song."
Fans could not seem to get enough of the Japanese group. Matsumoto promised to return for a third "Arashi Around Asia" tour. An estimated 30,000 fans watched the four concerts Saturday and Sunday, including several hundred Japanese fans.
Even with little promotion about the concerts, tickets sold like hotcakes, with all three concerts being sold out on Auction.com in 30 minutes. Organizers had to add another concert, which once again sold out immediately.
Arashi is one of the most popular Japanese pop groups in Korea. Matsumoto is best known for his lead role in "Boys Over Flowers." Ohno recently appeared in the Japanese drama remake of the Korean drama `The Devil."
Aiba appears on a popular Japanese variety show. Ninomiya received critical acclaim for his role in Clint Eastwood's war movie "Letters From Iwo Jima." Sakurai starred in the film "Honey & Clover."
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/11/135_33833.html |
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November 4, 2008
Stage is set for "200 Pounds Beauty"
Hit Korean film to be adapted into live musical
Written by Han Sunhee
SEOUL |
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November 4, 2008
Rising Korean-American Singer Priscilla Ahn to Perform in Seoul
Priscilla Ahn will perform at Sangsang Madang Live Hall in Hongdae, Dec. 4.
/ Courtesy of Yellow MusiQ
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Rising Korean-American singer Priscilla Ahn is causing a buzz in the U.S. music scene, thanks in large part to her song being featured on the hit show "Grey's Anatomy." The song 'Dream" struck a chord with many fans when it was featured on the season four finale of the hit drama.
Korean fans are likewise taking notice of Ahn and her music, mainly because of her Korean heritage. Ahn was born Priscilla Natalie Hartranft in Fort Stewart, Georgia, but later changed her name to reflect her Korean mother's last name.
Ahn will perform in Seoul for the first time at the Sangsang Madang Live Hall in Hongdae, Dec. 4. Ahn, who has a beautiful, lilting voice, is often compared to Grammy Award-wining singer-songwriter Norah Jones
The 24-year old singer grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania. Influenced by her musically inclined mother, Ahn always loved singing and playing the guitar. After her high school graduation, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music.
Ahn independently released a self-titled debut album in 2006. Her talent did not go unnoticed, and the prestigious Blue Note Records quickly signed her up. Blue Note Records is the same record label as Norah Jones.
Ahn released her first major label album ``A Good Day" earlier this year, receiving good reviews. One music critic described the album as an "artful balance of youthful whimsy and grown-up sophistication," and praised Ahn's "stunningly self-assured voice."
"Dream" was featured not only on Grey's Anatomy, but also included in the soundtrack for the hit thriller "Disturbia." She also performed the song on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
Rising Hongdae singer Yozoh is the opening act for Ahn's concert. Tickets are 55,000 won. For English language reservations, call 3444-9969 or email [email protected]. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555 (Korean only).
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/11/201_33834.html |
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November 4, 2008
Korea's Showbox takes a "Ski Jump"
Distributor boards KM Culture produced actioner
Written by Han Sunhee
SEOUL - Korean distributor Showbox has boarded "Ski Jump", a sports actioner starring "The Chaser" protagonist Ha Jung-woo.
Helmed by Kim Yong-hwa("200 Pounds Beauty"), pic tells the story of a national ski jumping team. KM Culture is currently producing the pic.
Showbox has agreed to handle all the library titles of KM Culture. Previously KM Culture held and represented international sales rights for their films, but have recently consigned the internatioanl business to Showbox.
Source: Variety Asia
http://varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/7407/ |
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November 5, 2008
Who Is the Real Midas in Korean Showbiz?
■ Park Jin-young: taking Korean talent to the West
Park Jin-young
揑 wanted to form a group that was young but appealed to all ages with music and dance, |
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November 3, 2008
Global Talk Show Marks 100th Episode
A KBS talk show featuring foreign women in Korea aired its 100th episode on Monday. Affectionately called 揗isuda, |
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Author
