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NEWS INDEX page 69
November 29, 2008: Lee Seo-jin and Kim Jeong-eun
Dec 2: Korean box office waves hello to "Schoolgirl"
Dec 1: M.Street loses its lead singer to suicide
Dec 2: Bae Yong-joon is highest-paid actor
Dec 2: 'Celebrity's Sweetheart' Knocks on Viewer's Hearts
Dec 2: Member of K-Pop group found dead
Nov 27: Portrait of a Beauty sold to Japan, Singapore, and Thailand
Dec 2: Tablo to Hold 'Book Concert'
Dec 2: Audi Picks Korea's Most Successful Men
Dec 1: Shin Hye-sung Wows Japanese Fans in Concerts
Dec 2: SS501 Turns into a Trio
Dec 3: TVXQ Wins Japanese Music Award
Dec 3: [TV review] Heart-mending TV shows aren抰 convincing
Dec 3: Fighting cancer, model/actress Jang Jin-young finds path back to fame
Dec 3: [In-depth interview] Leap into another world
Dec 3: S. Korean actor becomes advocate for UN World Food Programme
Nov 28: Korean TV experience hall - Four Seasons House
Dec 3: Actor Jang Dong-gun Becomes WFP's Goodwill Ambassador
Nov 28: Seoul becomes a movie set
Dec 3: BoA to Perform in 'Jingle Ball' Concert in U.S
Dec 4: Actor Jang Dong-gun Appointed Goodwill Ambassador of UN World Food Programme
Dec 4: Top Comedians' Secret Donations Revealed
Dec 3: All In gets a sequel
Dec 4: Sung Yuri Pairs Ji Sung in 'All In 2'
[ Last edited by katt at 4-12-2008 08:08 PM ] |
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November 29, 2008
Lee Seo-jin and Kim Jeong-eun
Popular celebrity couple Lee Seo-jin and Kim Jeong-eun recently announced that they have ended their two-year-long relationship. Actress Kim Jeong-eun抯 management agency announced on November 22 that the couple split up in late October due to family issues that could not be solved. Lee reportedly ended the relationship over the phone.
Lee has been keeping a low profile abroad while Kim opened up to the public about the breakup during 慘im Jeong-eun抯 Chocolate |
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December 2, 2008
Korean box office waves hello to "Schoolgirl"
Audiences flock to romantic drama in week dominated by local releases
Written by Han Sunhee
SEOUL |
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M.Street loses its lead singer to suicide
December 1st, 2008 // by javabeans
On December 1, the body of singer Lee Seo-hyun, lead singer of vocal pop group M.Street, was found in a recording studio. The death has been ruled as a suicide by hanging.
The primary cause was deemed to be failed stock investments. One source explained that he had invested large amounts of money from friends and sunbaes in stocks, but lost it in the recent stock market crash(es). While there are likely other factors related to his suicide, this is being considered the primary one. Apparently he had been overwhelmed with the stress, although he been attempting to find ways to rectify the matter as recently as the day before his suicide.
Lee Seo-hyun (born Lee Jong-hyun) was 30 years old. M.Street was a five-member vocal group that debuted in 2004 and put out singles 揘oel抯 Gift, |
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December 2, 2008
Bae Yong-joon is highest-paid actor
A phenomenal Korean star in Japan, Bae Yong-joon is the highest paid actor in Korea by raking in 250 million won ($171,600) per episode, an unusual release of the details of actors' payrolls showed this week.
A seminar on Korean television drama was held on Monday in Mok-dong, Seoul, hosted by the association of Korean television drama production directors to tell the difficulty in footing production costs.
Broadcasting stations and production companies have been raising concerns about costly payments to stars in current years. They contend the payments create serious difficulties in financing television programs.
At the event, details of the payments for popular actors and actresses during the last two years were revealed by professor Kim Jin-woong of Sun Moon University.
Bae Yong-joon was found to be the most expensive star of all while he starred in the autumn hit of 2007, "The Legend." The number, however, is an approximation, as Bae was paid in a form of splitting profits between his management company and the production firm, Kim Jin-woong said.
Bae's estimated pay, however, is nearly double that of another actor Park Shin-yang, whose payment scuffle with a production agency drew attention in July. Park had filed a suit against the production to fully pay up the agreed 155 million won per each of the extended episodes of SBS "Money's Warfare" in 2007.
Other highly paid actors included Song Seung-heon, who raked in 70 million won per episode of "East of Eden," along with Kwon Sang-woo of "Bad Love," Park Shin-yang of "The Painter of the Wind" and Lee Jung-jae of "Air City," each receiving 50 million won per episode.
Actresses were slightly lower in income, with Ko Hyun-joung of "H.I.T." and Song Hye-kyo of "The World That They Live In" each getting 35 million won per episode. Son Ye-jin reportedly earned about 30 million per episode of "Spotlight."
Among newcomers to the acting scene, the highest paid star was singer-turned-actor Yoon Kye-sang who starred in "Who Are You?" and raked in 18 million per episode. Following Yoon was Jang Geun-suk of the latest hit "Beethoven Virus," earning 12 million per episode.
These lucrative payments were a sharp surge from just several years ago, where in 2001, the highest payment per episode was 4 million and 5 million won by top star Kang Soo-yeon for her work on "Ladies of the Palace." The report said that the price of hiring stars in television dramas began to skyrocket when Jeon Do-youn began receiving 15 million won for "Lovers in Prague" in 2005.
By Lee Joo-hee ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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December 2, 2008
'Celebrity's Sweetheart' Knocks on Viewer's Hearts
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
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Actors Yoo Ji-tae, left, and Choi Ji-woo to star in 揅elebrity抯 Sweetheart, |
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December 2, 2008
Member of K-Pop group found dead
Lee Seo-hyeon
A member of the five piece K-Pop group M-Street was found dead in a basement recording studio at an officetel in the Dogok district of southern Seoul.
In an apparent suicide by hanging, the body of Lee Seo-hyeon, 29, was discovered by the owner of the recording studio at approximately 4:15 p.m. Monday with a noose around his neck.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police are currently investigating and analyzing the letter he left behind. According to police, the distressed letter contained his grievances over his stalled career in the music industry and asked for forgiveness from God and family.
Edging closer to the conclusion that the death was caused by suicide, upon further investigation, there were no traces of visitors to the studio other than Lee. Lee was the leader of M-Street. The group debuted in 2004 and has subsequently released two albums.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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November 27, 2008
Portrait of a Beauty sold to Japan, Singapore, and Thailand
JEON Yun-su抯 Portrait of a Beauty is attracting great interest globally; first, it will be exported to Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. Yedang Entertainment closed these deals with the three countries at this month抯 American Film Market (AFM) in Los Angeles.
Europe also expressed much interest in the Korean blockbuster. It is expected that the European deals will take place at 2009抯 Berlin Market in February.
Portrait of a Beauty has topped the box office since its release, beating international blockbusters Quantum of Solace and Max Payne. The somewhat controversiol take on Joseon dynasty painter SHIN Yoon-bok reached the one million viewers mark in only nine days, and just under 1.3 million (1,287,580) viewers after its second weekend leading the box office, according to its distributor CJ Entertainment.
Portrait of a Beauty is likely to face tough competition this weekend from RYU Jang-ha抯 Hello Schoolgirl. Internet reservation site Max Movie reported that this week抯 release Hello Schoolgirl leads the online reservations, beating Portrait of a Beauty which occupies second place.
Credits: Yi Ch'ang-ho, image from empas.com
http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/KOFI ... mp;Gesimul_SNO=1145 |
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December 2, 2008
Tablo to Hold 'Book Concert'
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Epik High frontman Tablo will meet fans and talk about his first book, " Pieces of You," at a "book concert" at KT&G SangSang Madang, in Hongdae, Dec. 9.
/ Courtesy of SangSang Madang
Epik High frontman Tablo is holding a "book concert" at the KT&G SangSang Madang in Hongdae, Dec. 9. The concert is being held to celebrate the success of Tablo's first published collection of short stories, " Pieces of You."
Sixty fans will be invited to the concert, where they will have the chance to ask questions and talk with Tablo about the book. There will also be performances by indie bands Sogyumo Acacia Band and Lucite Tokki during the concert.
" Pieces of You" topped bestseller lists in Korea, selling around 50,000 copies in just one week after it was released Nov. 4. It features 10 short stories that Tablo wrote while living in the United States from 1998 to 2001.
28-year-old Tablo, who studied English and creative writing at Stanford University in California, originally wrote the stories in English. However, they were translated into Korean and published as a book. There are reportedly plans to publish the original English version next year.
Tablo gained popularity as the frontman of hip-hop group Epik High. Epik High has released five albums, including "Swan Songs," "Remapping the Human Soul" and " Pieces, Part One." The group released a mini-album, "Lovescream, last September."
Fans will have a chance to attend the concert by entering a contest. Go to SangSang Madang's Web site, (www.sangsangmadang.com) or online retailer Yes24 (www.yes24.com), and write your favorite phrase from the book and the reason why you want to attend the concert. The deadline is Dec. 4. Winners will be informed Dec. 5.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/12/135_35422.html |
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December 2, 2008
Audi Picks Korea's Most Successful Men
From left mime Yoo Jin-kyu, actor Ha Jung-woo, designer Jung Wook-jun, singer GDragon of Big Bang, baseball coach Kim Kyung-moon, movie director Kim Jee-woon, novelist Lee Oi-soo, and chief executive of the aA Design Museum Kim Myung-han, the eight recipients of the A-Awards for the most successful men of the year given by men抯 fashion magazine Arena and Audi Korea. The award ceremony will be held in Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul next Tuesday. /Courtesy of Audi Korea
Credits: englishnews@chosun.com
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December 1, 2008
Shin Hye-sung Wows Japanese Fans in Concerts
Shin Hye-sung, a former Shinhwa member and now successful solo artist, has successfully wrapped up the 2008 SHS Live Tour Side 1 Live and Let Live in Japan. His solo concert in Japan took him to three major Japanese cities |
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December 2, 2008
SS501 Turns into a Trio
Idol group SS501 is now a trio. Formerly five-member band SS501 released a project album with only three of its members |
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December 3, 2008
TVXQ Wins Japanese Music Award
Hot idol group TVXQ has won a Gold Award at the 50th Japan Record Awards. Hailed as the most prestigious music award in Japan, the Japan Record Awards selected 12 artists for Gold Award this year. TVXQ got the nod for their 23rd single in Japan, 揇ou#e Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattan Darou? (Why Did I Fall in Love with You?) |
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December 3, 2008
[TV review] Heart-mending TV shows aren抰 convincing
Friends-cum-enemies celebrities washing their faces
to reconcile, in the 揃est Friends Note |
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December 3, 2008
Fighting cancer, model/actress Jang Jin-young finds path back to fame
Model-actress Jang Jin-young
Many a heart was troubled when news spread last September of a young actress |
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December 3, 2008
[In-depth interview] Leap into another world
慡trictly speaking, I抦 just another rookie in the fashion business here. ...
I do consider, though, that I am on the right track.抂/b]
Im Sang-a, New York fashion designer [JoongAng Sunday]
Im Sang-a, 35, was famous for her acting, singing, dancing and other performance skills in Korea in the mid-1990s. Today, she is a New York-based fashion designer. She emigrated to the United States 10 years ago. In the spring of 2006, Im launched an eponymous handbag brand, 揝ang A. |
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December 3, 2008
S. Korean actor becomes advocate for UN World Food Programme
HONG KONG, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean actor Jang Dong-gun was named Wednesday as a spokesperson for the UN's food aid branch and charged with the task of using his celebrity to advocate food distribution projects in some of the world's poorest countries.
Jang, 36, becomes the latest Ambassador for the Word Food Programme, joining Hollywood celebrity Drew Barrymore, Howard Buffett, the elder son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett and Brazilian football player Kaka.
"I feel honored to be appointed as an ambassador for one of the UN umbrella organizations," Jang said to Yonhap News Agency at Hong Kong.
Source: Yonhap News
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2008/12/03/0701000000AEN20081203004100315.HTML
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November 28, 2008
Korean TV experience hall - Four Seasons House
"Summer Scent" room at "Four Seasons House"
Visit the TV drama exhibition hall "Four Seasons House," all about the "Four Seasons" TV drama series.
"Four Seasons House" is the place that displays various drama props and sets used in famous scenes, as well as photos of filming locations.
The "Four Seasons" TV drama series, directed by Yun Seok-ho, are: "Spring Waltz," "Summer Scent," "Autumn in My Heart" and "Winter Sonata."
Various drama sets, including Seo Do-yeong's room ("Spring Waltz") and the spot where Min-wu proposed to Hye-won ("Summer Scent") are preserved as they were when they were filmed. Also, the clothing Bae Yong-jun and Choi Ji-woo wore in the drama and various drama props are on display.
Four Seasons House holds various special events, including concerts featuring the scores of the dramas with snacks on every fourth Saturday, which provide long lasting memories for foreign tourists and Korean fans.
Four Seasons House is open everyday except holidays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more detailed information, call Four Seasons House at 02-3141-9027 or visit http://www.yoonscolor.com.
Source: http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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December 3, 2008
Actor Jang Dong-gun Becomes WFP's Goodwill Ambassador
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Actor Jang Dong-gun
Korean movie star Jang Dong-gun has become a goodwill ambassador for the World Food Programme (WFP), a food aid branch under the United Nations.
The 36-year-old star was given the honor during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Asian general meeting's closing ceremony in Hong Kong. The CGI was inaugurated in 2005 under the leadership of former President of the United States Bill Clinton to become a non-partisan catalyst for bringing together global leaders to discuss challenges in the world and work for solutions.
Some 400 figures, including former President Clinton and Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore, were present.
"Personally, it is a great honor, but I feel great responsibility and also pressure," he said during an interview with the Yonhap news Agency in Hong Kong.
Jang explained that his grandparents and father, born in North Korea, and also him starring in movies that were somewhat related to the country, may have contributed in his choice as ambassador. Movies such as "Taegukgi: Brotherhood of War" (2003) and "Typhoon" (2005) both carried storylines pertaining to North Korea. "I became naturally interested in North Korean issues. It was then that I was asked to become the goodwill ambassador. Knowing that one of the major activities of the WFP is donating food supplies to North Korea, I accepted," he said.
The actor admitted that he hesitated before accepting the offer, as he knew it was an important position and also because he was doubtful as to whether he had the ability to carry out such a role. Fellow ambassadors of the world's largest humanitarian agency include actress Drew Barrymore, businessman and philanthropist Warren Buffet and Brazilian soccer star Kaka. Jang will be the ninth ambassador of the WFP.
The actor will participate in various programs aimed to remind nations of the need of food aid for developing countries. "I will do my best and actively participate in these programs. I will put effort in making, not only those who like Jang Dong-gun, but also all those who live in Korea and elsewhere in Asia, realize the importance of these aid issues," said Jang.
Jang has also been known to have great interest in aiding North Korea. "There are about 850 million people suffering from famine, and among them, 500 million are known to be Asian, and of them six million are North Korean. The global community must show interest in terms of humanitarianism," he said.
When asked about the rocky terms between the two Koreas and the outcome, which can effect immediate donations, Jang explained that the WFP was carrying out thorough monitoring and that there should be no problems in delivering food supplies to people in need.
"WFP has a plan of offering $503 million worth of food supplies to the North and has been continuously asking for support from other nations. We are also a very important nation in supporting the North. I am planning to meet government officials to ask for thorough support for smoother humanitarian donations," Jang said, adding that he was willing to visit North Korea when given the chance.
Jang, who is a big star not only here, but also in many parts of Asia, is waiting for the release of his new Hollywood film, "Laundry Warrior," slated for next year.
WFP, launched in 1961, provides food to some 90 million people per year. Its headquarters are in Rome and it has more than 80 offices around the world.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 8/12/139_35538.html |
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November 28, 2008
Seoul becomes a movie set
This is the third in a series of articles highlighting tourism spots in Seoul. The useful guide for planning weekend trips in the capital city will help readers rediscover Seoul. - Ed.
Seoul is full of beautiful and charming spots and streets where thousands of beautiful scenes in movies and TV dramas have been shot. Take a walk and you can find yourself on the set of a film or drama.
'Winter Sonata' - Choongang High School
As you live your life, there is always a chance you could run into your first love some day. The fairy tale-like TV drama series "Winter Sonata," a story about childhood sweethearts who happen to meet again as adults, made the hero and the heroine stars at home and abroad.
The school scenes were shot in Choongang High School. The red-brick school with the old-world charm of a European private school was designed by the architect Park Dong-jin and built in 1908. All the buildings here are designated as cultural treasures. The majority of the tourists who visit the school are fans of the drama. The shops in front of the school have been turned into souvenir shops that sell various souvenirs related to the drama and Korean celebrities famous in other Asian countries.
Tourists are advised to visit the school between 6-7 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. or during the weekend in order not to disturb the students during school hours. The school, which was the cradle of the Korean independence movement, is open to tourists and visitors after 2 p.m. on Saturday and all day on Sunday.
Choongang High School
Tip 1. Yu-jin's House: The name of the souvenir shop near the main gate of Choongang High School is "Yu-jin's House." The owner of the souvenir shop may be the best tour guide around, as he was the actual owner of the house when the drama was shot. For more information, call 010-3955-2417.
Tip 2. Bukchon Guesthouse: The house where Korea's renowned painter Bae Ryeom (1911-1968) lived is designated as registered cultural treasure No. 85, and is used as a guesthouse for foreign tourists. It is an elegant traditional wooden house with traditional clay walls, slide doors, and ondol floors. The garden in the courtyard is charming. Online booking for a tour guide, an interpreter, and transportation is available. For more information, call 02-743-8530 or visit www.bukchon72.com.
'Untold Scandal' - Namsangol Hanok Village
The Namsangol Hanok Village is situated at the foot of Seoul's Mount Nam. This is the place where curved tile roofs, wooden pillars with beautiful lines, elegant fences of traditional Korean-style houses, or "hanok," greet tourists and visitors.
The Namsangol Hanok Village features five restored houses lived in by various social classes, from high-ranking government officials to ordinary citizens. The hit film "Untold Scandal" was filmed here as it preserves furniture and all other household goods as they were. The movie, a Korean adaptation of the 18th-century French novel "Dangerous Liaisons," is a subtle love story about a cold-hearted playboy, Joseon's most seductive woman and a lofty widow. The film attracted much attention with its depiction of the luxurious lives of high-ranking government officials in the late 18th century in Korea, the film's beautiful hanbok (traditional clothing), and the beauty of the Namsangol Hanok Village. Walk like the hero for whom a single glance is enough to attract any woman, or poise yourself like the lead actress, who won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007.
The backyard of the house where Yun Taek-young, the father-in-law of King Sunjong (1907-1910) lived, is the secret place in the film where Madam Jo hid her love letters to the young man next door. Also, the house of Park Yeong-hyo, a son-in-law of King Cheoljong (1849-1863), was the setting for the scene in which womanizer Jo-won rejected Madam Jo despite his love for her, saying, "I stopped loving you at the very moment I felt your love for me."
The Namsangol Hanok Village also offers visitors an opportunity to experience cultural activities such as kite making, decorative knotting, arrow throwing and the Korean seesaw. In addition, it features the "Traditional Cultural Artwork Fading into Oblivion" exhibition until Dec. 24. Admission to the village is free. Guided tour in English is available at 3:30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and noon and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The village is closed Tuesdays. For more detailed information, call 02-2266-6923 or visit http://www.hanokmaeul.org.
Tip. Korea House: The Korea House, which is accessible through a small gate from the Namsangol Hanok Village, is built on the site of scholar Park Paeng-nyeon's house. It was built by master carpenter Shin Eung-su, who is designated as an important intangible cultural asset. The Korea House is a complex cultural space where visitors can appreciate the beauty of Korea through Korea's traditional architecture, royal court food, handicrafts, folk music, traditional dance, traditional wedding ceremonies and others, all in one place. Lunch at the Korea House will be particularly memorable as the Korea House is famous for royal court cuisine. Korean royal court food is popular in some 60 countries around the world including Japan, Turkey, and Hungary thanks to the mega-hit TV drama series "Jewel in the Palace." Various Korean traditional art performances including pansori and fan dances are held everyday, along with special events (available for groups of 20 or more) such as kimchi making, traditional mask making, rice paper craft, held twice a day, at 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m., from Monday through Friday. For more information, call 02-2266-9101 or visit http://www.korea house.or.kr.
Hongik University Wall Painting Street
'My Sassy Girl' - Yonsei University
Founded in 1885 as a private university, Yonsei University boasts classical architecture, and the beautiful campus is well tended, like a palace courtyard. At Yonsei University, it is not uncommon to find people with children or office workers walking around the campus taking photos. Also, Yonsei University is crowded with many foreign students who come to Korea to learn the language.
Yonsei University is a location much loved by film makers and the hit movie "My Sassy Girl" was shot here. In the movie about a girl who is too idiosyncratic and spontaneous to handle and her boyfriend too good to be true, the most hilarious is the scene in which she takes off her high heels and runs away in her boyfriend's sneakers. The scene where the boyfriend was struggling to walk in her stilettos was shot on the pretty path between Yonhui Hall (College of Social Science building) and Underwood Hall (Main Hall).
Tip. Hongik University Wall Painting Street: The Hongik University area near Yonsei University is famous for its mural-covered street. The street has been referred to as " Picasso Street" ever since the "Street Art Exhibition" was held here in 1993. The exhibition encompasses a variety of artistic activities including wall painting, installation art and the like. Among the various exhibits displayed during the exhibition, the wall paintings are the only ones that remain. Take a stroll on the street and enjoy the unique and youthful atmosphere that reminds one of SoHo in New York.
By Annabelle Lee /Travel writer
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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