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March 6, 2013
Cha Seung-won to return to theaters in 'High Heels'
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Cha Seung-won, an actor and former fashion model who starred in a popular TV drama “The Greatest Love” in 2011 and “Athena:Goddess of War” the year before, is coming back to the theaters with the movie “High Heels,” according to the movie distributor Lotte Entertainment yesterday.
The upcoming flick brought the star and the director together after six years as Cha was reunited with director Jang Jin for the third time after the 2007’s “A Day with My Son” and 2005’s “The Big Scene.”
Cha will be the lead in the comedy action flick playing a detective working solving some of the city’s most violent crimes.
Cha gained rose to stardom and became one of the greatest Hallyu stars after he played the role of the obnoxious but famous star in “The Greatest Love” with actress Kong Hyo-jin, who played a role of a former girl group star that fell from grace after being embroiled in a scandal. |
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March 6, 2013
Actress Park Shin-hye will embark on her first tour of Asia this month
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
To celebrate her 10th year in the business, Park will visit the Philippines on March 17 to kick-start the series of performances and meet with fans. She will then head to Japan and China.
“[Park] will meet with up to 6,000 fans in three countries, and we are still coordinating her schedule in other countries,” SALT Entertainment said.
As Park showed her version of pop star Beyonce’s “Single Lady” in her last meeting with fans in Taiwan, many expect similar developments during the upcoming tour.
Park rose to fame thanks to her role in the 2009 TV drama “You’re Beautiful”. |
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March 6, 2013
Yoo Seung-ho starts military service
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Actor Yoo Seung-ho, 19, who stared in MBC’s “I Miss You,” began his mandatory military service on Tuesday, he said in a surprise announcement immediately beforehand.
“I feel sorry that I didn’t tell my fans about the date of enlistment,” Yoo said on his fan page. “I thought [going to the Army] rather quietly was one way not to inconvenience others who are going with me.”
He added that he is looking forward to his time in the Army and does not view it as a commitment to get out of the way.
“Some say I am too young to start my military service,” he said. “I wanted a new experience and to break out of the routine as I have been acting for more than a decade.”
He also posted a video and a photo in which he sported the standard short hairdo required of soldiers.
Yoo explained that he does not want to be a so-called “entertainment soldier” but rather one with regular duties, perhaps on the front line. |
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March 6, 2013
At 26, Yoon Si-yoon breaks out of his shell
'I think I’ve become a lot brighter and more outgoing compared to before'
By Kim Yeon-ji Korea JoongAng Daily
Yoon Si-yoon transformed his public image with an unconventional role as a free-spirited and fun-loving guy in “Flower Boys Next Door.” By Yang Gwang-sam
Rising actor Yoon Si-yoon’s roles have always seemed a perfect match. He debuted as a troubled yet considerate teenager in “High Kick Through the Roof” (2009) and was a patient and hard-working baker hopeful in “King of Baking, Kim Tak-gu” (2010). Just like his characters, Yoon, 26, is a considerate man of few words.
His recent role, however, broke the trend. Enrique Geum from “Flower Boys Next Door” arrives in Seoul from Spain and is a free-spirited, fun-loving and bubbly character who eventually falls in love with a lonely girl who has few friends (played by Park Shin-hye).
Though just 16 episodes, the cable drama on tvN has generated a lot of buzz, especially for Yoon’s gifted portrayal of his unique character.
Ilgan Sports, the sports and entertainment daily of the JoongAng Ilbo, recently caught up with Yoon and bombarded him with questions about his recent role and immediate plans.
Q. You’ve just finished shooting the last episode of “Flower Boys Next Door.” How do you feel?
A. I think it will take some time for me to come out of character. I was so happy during the whole production because many people loved the drama and my character - especially young viewers - and it created so much publicity.
What was it like playing a character who is quite different from your own personality?
I was quite inspired by the character, and I think I’ve become a lot brighter and more outgoing compared to before.
You teamed up with producer Jung Jung-hwa, who has directed many hit films such as “When Romance Meets Destiny” (2005). Is he a director who gives room for actors to be involved in the production?
Yes, he is. In the last date scene involving me and Park, the script simply indicated: “The two of us go on a date.” So, I had to think about the details as if I were preparing for a date with my real girlfriend. That’s how the last scene was created.
Since you worked together, what do you think about Park?
She is a natural-born actress. She smiles no matter how tired she gets on set. She is also a good partner because she pays attention to my every word and facial expression even when off camera. Thanks to her, I was able to better immerse myself in my character.
Are you aware that your kissing scene with Park has become the talk of the town?
I would say it was a kind of “clash kiss” because we got to kiss each other as we fell to the floor. In reality, it is impossible to kiss like that.
If that happened in real life, people would break a couple of teeth. I had to think about posture and lip angle to make the scene look real. It was such a difficult scene, and we had to retake it a couple of times.
Don’t you think your latest role was a bit of a surprise after “King of Baking, Kim Tak-gu”?
“King of Baking, Kim Tak-gu” was a huge hit, but it stressed me out. I decided to go for this drama on tvN because I thought I would be free from burden of high viewership.
I used to act as if I was solving a math problem while acting, but I learned how to enjoy myself on set this time.
You previously worked with Joo Won, who played your archrival in “King of Baking, Kim Tak-gu.” At the time, you were both rookie actors but have now become quite popular. What do you think when the media compare you with Joo?
When we did the drama, I was jealous of his physical strength. We often stayed up all night during production and he was always alive and kicking while I dozed off all the time. I tried to find out what made us so different and realized Joo knew how to pace himself from his time doing musicals and plays. He inspired me, and I began working out after that. I usually work out between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. so that I can prepare for late-night shooting.
Do you have a plan to make a transition from television to the big screen any time soon?
Of course! After years of experience in dramas, I want to work on a film.
Many actors and actresses leave for overseas and do drama series or films with actors abroad. What about you?
I think we need a deep understanding of foreign countries before working in them. It’s not all about waving your hands at foreign fans. You need to know the language, culture and sentiment of the country. I always try to keep these things in my mind when I go abroad to work on projects. |
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March 7, 2013
Park Si-hoo Discloses All Test Messages in Rape Scandal
The ChosunIlbo
Actor Park Si-hoo, who is accused of raping a young woman last month, has disclosed more text messages which he claims bear out his contention that he was framed.
Park was responding to a move by the woman's lawyer, who revealed messages she had exchanged with a friend of Park's who introduced the two. The messages suggested that the woman was surprised to find herself in bed with Park when she regained consciousness after what she claims was a night of heavy drinking.
"The messages were not the full text," Park's lawyer said. "If you look at the full Kakao Talk messages, it is evident that there was no force involved in the sex, while [the mutual friend] did not realize that Park and the woman had sex," the lawyer claimed.
Park's defense team published all 47 messages the woman exchanged with Park's friend between 12:55 p.m. and midnight the day after the alleged rape. The woman had earlier disclosed 31 messages sent between 12:55 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
In the additional messages, the friend tells the woman at 8:33 p.m. to call him. The woman responds at 11:57 p.m., "I still feel queasy. Do you think I got pregnant because of that?"
At 8:37 p.m. that day she reported to police that she had been raped. Yet she continued to communicate with Park's friend, according to Park's lawyer. Earlier, the woman claimed that Park and his friend tried to contact her several times after she told police she had been raped but that she did not respond.
As the plot thickens in the case with both sides revealing additional text messages, the woman's lawyer submitted her mobile phone to police on Wednesday seeking all of the messages to be restored. Police have asked Park to turn his mobile phone in as well. |
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March 7, 2013
Ahn Jae-wook is back home after brain hemorrhage
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Ahn Jae-wook is back in Korea about a month after suffering a sudden brain hemorrhage while visiting the United States, his agency said Thursday.
“Ahn was discharged from the hospital sooner than expected and is recovering [fast],” the agency added. “The U.S. hospital granted him permission to travel.”
After arriving back at home, Ahn visited a hospital for a check-up after the long flight.
“A Korean medical team also informed us that there will be no lingering effects of the injury,” the agency explained.
Ahn will take some time to recover before returning to work, it added. |
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March 7, 2013
Agency denies Yang-Ryu romance
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Movie producer and actor Yang Ik-joon of “Ddongpari” (2008) has been dating actress Ryu Hyun-kyung for roughly a year, local media reported yesterday.
Agency Prain TPC strongly denied the rumor after contacting Yang and Ryu. Earlier, it declined to comment on the issue.
The rumored couple worked together in 2011 as both played lead roles in the short film “Departure” directed by Yang.
“After they worked together in the movie, they developed a friendly relationship and met up to discuss their work,” the agency said in a release.
Fans are now debating whether Yang signed with Prain TPC, which also represents Ryu, because of a romance.
True to form, though, the agency denied the speculation.
“Yang’s signing with Prain TPC has absolutely nothing to do with their friendship,” it said.
The two are out of the country and cannot be reached. |
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March 7, 2013
Lee Hi's new album 'First Love' is out
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Former “Kpop Star” contestant Lee Hi has set out to make it on her own, releasing half of her first solo album yesterday.
Five songs on “First Love” are now available at local music outlets, including the title track.
In the music video accompanying the release, Lee puts on a jolly persona, sports a colorful hair band with a teddy bear on top and plays with a giant stuffed teddy bear.
The video stands in contrast to Lee’s debut single last year, a retro-soul song called “1, 2, 3, 4.” In the video for that release, Lee wore more muted black and white tones.
The music in “First Love” combines jazz, rhythm and blues, which are seldom used in Korean pop music.
The album’s five additional songs, including another title track “Rose,” will be released March 21.
Lee’s album was produced by Yang Hyun-suk, president of YG Entertainment, with contributions from the company’s best producers, including Teddy, Tablo and Choice37. Last edited by katt on 8-3-2013 12:02 AM
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March 7, 2013
Park Si-hoo Discloses All Text Messages in Rape Scandal
The ChosunIlbo
Actor Park Si-hoo, who is accused of raping a young woman last month, has disclosed more text messages which he claims bear out his contention that he was framed.
Park was responding to a move by the woman's lawyer, who revealed messages she had exchanged with a friend of Park's who introduced the two. The messages suggested that the woman was surprised to find herself in bed with Park when she regained consciousness after what she claims was a night of heavy drinking.
"The messages were not the full text," Park's lawyer said. "If you look at the full Kakao Talk messages, it is evident that there was no force involved in the sex, while [the mutual friend] did not realize that Park and the woman had sex," the lawyer claimed.
Park's defense team published all 47 messages the woman exchanged with Park's friend between 12:55 p.m. and midnight the day after the alleged rape. The woman had earlier disclosed 31 messages sent between 12:55 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
In the additional messages, the friend tells the woman at 8:33 p.m. to call him. The woman responds at 11:57 p.m., "I still feel queasy. Do you think I got pregnant because of that?"
At 8:37 p.m. that day she reported to police that she had been raped. Yet she continued to communicate with Park's friend, according to Park's lawyer. Earlier, the woman claimed that Park and his friend tried to contact her several times after she told police she had been raped but that she did not respond.
As the plot thickens in the case with both sides revealing additional text messages, the woman's lawyer submitted her mobile phone to police on Wednesday seeking all of the messages to be restored. Police have asked Park to turn his mobile phone in as well. |
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March 7, 2013
Shim Hyung-rae declared bankrupt
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Comedian Shim Hyung-rae is officially bankrupt, the Seoul Central District Court declared yesterday.
Officials there will now tally his current assets and disposable income in order to determine whether he must pay former employees of his company Younggu Art.
The employees filed a petition seeking unpaid wages in 2011, and Shim was ordered to pay 891.5 million won ($822,000) in wages and severance.
The disgraced star was also sentenced to 10 months in prison and 80 hours of community service.
Shim appealed that decision in January and also filed for bankruptcy. If his assets are deemed inadequate by the court, he will receive a reprieve from his financial obligations.
Shim’s financial troubles started about a decade ago when he was producing “D-War” in 2004 and received 5 billion won from a savings bank.
Shim later claimed that the money was an investment, while the bank said it was a loan and demanded monthly interest payments. |
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March 8, 2013
Joo Won is cast in big-name rom com
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Joo Won, who gained recognition after starring in the drama “Bread, Love and Dreams” in 2010, has been cast as a lead actor in the movie “Only You.”
Joo’s agency Sim Entertainment confirmed the casting yesterday, according to local media.
The news comes as a surprise as Joo has only filmed two movies thus far: “Special Investigation Unit” in 2011 and “Don’t Click” in 2012.
In the romantic comedy supported by Lotte Entertainment, Joo will play a cop who falls in love with a thief who breaks into vacant houses.
The thief has not yet been cast.
Production will begin in the end of April after the cast of main characters is finalized.
Although he’s better known as an actor of late, Joo has also dabbled in singing and even released a single titled “Nadeshiko” in October in Japan.
It was the theme song for the Japanese movie “Bungo,” which opened in September.
In 2007, he was also a member of the singing group Free6. |
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March 8, 2013
Lee Mi-sook drops suit against press
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Lee Mi-sook, a veteran actress who has been embroiled in a boy-toy scandal, decided to drop the charges she filed against two journalists.
Lee filed a suit for 10 billion won ($9.2 million) in January of last year against those who quoted officials saying that Lee had an “inappropriate relationship” with a male host 17 years her junior.
She has not made any official statement on why she is dropping the suit.
She previously appealed twice to the Seoul Central District Court after the court ruled in favor of the defendants.
In its first ruling, the court said there was no evidence to prove the reporter’s allegation.
Meanwhile, Lee also lost an appeals trial in which her former agency filed a damage suit against her for breaching her contract.
The Seoul High Court ruled last month that Lee must pay 120 million won to her former agency The Contents Media. The agency originally ask for a total of 200 million won in damages. |
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March 9, 2013
All About My Romance: Lee Min Jung and Shin Ha Gyun Embarks On Their First Screen Together
by Eunsuh00 KoreanDrama.com l Nate ++
The still cuts of the first filming of the drama ‘All About My Romance’ has been revealed.
Lee Min-jung, appearing as the minority-party Green Justice Party’s member Noh Min-yeong, appears on a radio and criticizes the majority pary Grand Korean Party member Kim Soo-yeong (Shin Ha-gyun)’s acts.
Lee Min-jung managed to walk through the thorny brambles of professional jargon without even a single mistake, while Shin Ha-kyun responded to her lines with endless varieties of facial expressions. The partnership of the two reportedly won much acclaim from the staff members.
A romantic comedy between the unlikely couple of a conservative majority member and the minority liberal member of the National Assembly, the bickering couple eventually begins their romance in secret, under the watchful eye of the public. Starring Shin Ha-gyun, Lee Min-jung, Gong Hyung-jin, and Han Chae-ah, the drama will follow the ending of the drama ‘That Winter, The Wind Blows’ on early April.
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March 10, 2013
Yoo Ji-tae wins Jury Prize at Deauville Asian Film Fest
By Claire Lee The Korea Herald
Actor-turned-director Yoo Ji-tae’s first feature film has won the Jury Prize at this year’s Deauville Asian Film Festival, the film’s local promoters said Sunday.
Titled “Mai Ratima,” the film features a love affair between a destitute Korean man (played by Bae Soo-bin) and a young Thai woman who moved to Korea as a mail-order bride (played by Park Ji-soo). Both of the characters face discrimination against their social status and ethnicity.
Actor-director Yoo Ji-tae (left) receives the Jury Prize from Jerome Clement (right), jury president of the Deauville Asian Film Festival, in Deauville, France, on Saturday. (Film Marketing Camp)
The movie was premiered at last year’s Busan International Film Festival and received generally positive reviews from the critics here.
“We were very surprised that this is Yoo’s first feature film as a director,” said Jerome Clement, jury president of the festival as quoted by the film’s promoters. “Yoo presents a lot of insights in this film, which deals with a rather sensitive issue.”
Yoo, whose best known works as an actor include Park Chan-wook’s 2003 thriller “Oldboy” and “Hwang Jin Yi,” Chang Yoon-hyun’s 2007 biopic of the famous Joseon courtesan, made his directing debut with his short “The Bike Boy” in 2003. His third short “Out of My Intention” (2008) was featured at a number of local and international film festivals, including Vancouver International Film Festival and Asiana International Short Film Festival. |
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March 10, 2013
'Knee-Drop Guru' reshuffles hosts
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Variety talk show “Knee-Drop Guru” is attempting to battle flagging viewer numbers by bringing back its original hosts.
The show had been taken off air temporarily when its main emcee Kang Ho-dong dropped out of the entertainment scene after being found guilty of tax evasion in 2011. Kang returned to broadcasting last year, and the show was brought back in November with new co-host, Kwanghee of boy band ZE:A and original co-host Yoo Se-yoon. But it has since struggled to regain its original popularity. With the news of Kwanghee bowing out, citing band commitments as reason, producers have opted to bring back Woo Seung-min of All Lies Band, the other original co-host, in a bid to restore the show to its former glory. Kwanghee’s last appearance will be this Thursday and Woo’s comeback will air on March 21.
Kang disappeared from the public eye in September 2011 in the face of public fury over his tax evasion conviction. A retired ssireum (traditional Korean wrestling) champion, Kang broke into the entertainment scene in 1993. |
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March 10, 2013
Lee Hi takes charts by storm
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Former “K-pop Star” contestant Lee Hi dominated the domestic music charts last week with the release of part one of her debut solo album, “First Love.”
The title track “It’s Over” swept the No. 1 spots on major music Web sites including Melon, Mnet.com, Olleh Music and Bugs Music the day after its release.
The five songs on the new album take a different tack than standard-issue K-pop releases, using elements of jazz and rhythm and blues.
And it looks like Korean fans are welcoming the fresh take because “Turn It Up,” “Special” and “Dream” also ranked highly on popular song lists. In the music video accompanying the release last week, the 16-year-old songstress gives off a girlish vibe with vividly colored teddy bears and toys as props.
Lee’s agency, YG Entertainment, will release the five-song second part of the album on March 21, leading off with the title track “Rose.”
“First Love” was produced by YG President Yang Hyun-suk, with contributions from some of the company’s best producers including Teddy, Tablo and Choice37. |
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March 10, 2013
Se7en to start his military service
By Moon Gwang-lip Korea JoongAng Daily
Se7en’s D-Day is March 19. The singer, whose real name is Choi Dong-wook, said on Saturday that that’s the day he’ll be starting his military service.
He made the announcement during a farewell concert at the Seoul KyoYuk MunHwa HoeKwan Theater in Yangjae, Seocho in southern Seoul, which also marked the 10th anniversary of the 28-year-old’s debut.
“Over the past 10 years, I’ve spent a happy and enjoyable time with the love of my fans,” Se7en said during the concert, according to his agency YG Entertainment. “I will begin serving my military duty this month,” he said. “I’m happy that I could have an opportunity to say goodbye to you before I join up.”
Nearly half of the audience was made up of Japanese fans, his agents said, even though Se7en held a farewell concert in Japan last month.
He added that he wants to continue his singing career after completing his 21-month military service.
“It might not be appropriate, though, if my name is still Se7en when I’m 50,” he said, getting some laughs from the crowd, his agents said. |
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March 11, 2013
Actor-Turned-Director Yoo Ji-tae Wins Jury Prize in Deauville
The ChosunIlbo
"Mai Ratima," actor Yoo Ji-tae's first full-length film as a director, was announced as a co-winner of the jury prize at the 15th Deauville Asian Film Festival in France on Saturday. It shared the title with "Four Stations" by Thai director Boonsong Nakphoo.
Jerome Clement, president of the jury, said that a sensitive topic was beautifully presented in "Mai Ratima" with Yoo's superb insight, surprising for a directorial debut.
The film was chosen with hopes of giving it more exposure to moviegoers worldwide, he added.
"Mai Ratima" tells the story of an impoverished Korean man in his 30s and a Thai woman in her 20s who comes to Korea as a mail-order bride.
On Wednesday, it opened the event in northern France, the only international festival exclusively for Asian films in Europe. |
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