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December 7, 2008
Army of teddy bears invades Seoul
If you've been dying to go to the Teddy Bear Museum on Jeju, but haven't had the time or cash, today is your lucky day. From this week, one does not have to travel all the way to Jeju to see thousands of cute teddy bears.
Can you say 'date opportunity'?
Following its smashing popularity on Jeju Island, the Teddy Bear Museum will open its second installation in Seoul at N-Seoul Tower of Namsan from this Monday.
Featured exhibitions include a "teddy bear progression" of Seoul's past, present and future - along with the capital city's signature tourism destinations including Myeongdong, Cheonggye stream, Dongdaemun and Insa-dong. "We expect to see explosive reactions from visitors as the teddy bear characters loved by the entire world are mixed well with the historical and geological characteristics of Seoul," CJ N City, operator of the N-Seoul Tower said.
The museum comprises two separate sections, one on Seoul's history and another on Seoul's tourist spots. The history museum starts from the designation of Hanyang of Joseon Dynasty as the nation's capital, and continues to show the modernization of Seoul.
The Teddy Bear Museum opens its second installation in Seoul at N-Seoul Tower on Monday
Teddy bears dressed in traditional Korean clothes mimic King Taejo, King Sejong, and scholars of Jiphyeonjeon where Korean alphabet Hangeul was created, among others. The teddy bears will educate children on history, organizers said. Teddy bears parody also the famous paintings of Kim Hong-do and Shin Yun-bok, whose story currently receives massive public attention due to a hit television drama and movie.
In between the exhibitions, teddy bears also depict the famous drum performance "Nanta," as well as B-boy dances. The museum sprawls some 1,000 square meters. Over 1,000 teddy bears are on display in the museum, including 23 antique teddy bears that are over 100 years of age.
To celebrate the opening, a large Christmas tree has been made entirely out of 300 red and white teddy bears to add to the festive ambiance in front of the museum.
The Teddy Bear Museum of N-Seoul Tower opens from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entrance fees are 8,000 won for adults, 6,000 won for teenagers and 5,000 won for children.
Packages are also offered for double visits to the museum and the N-Seoul Tower at 12,000 won for adults, 8,000 won for teenagers and 6,000 won for children.
For more information, call (02) 3789-8488 or visit www.teddybearmuseum.com
By Lee Joo-hee
Teddy bears clad in traditional costumes/Teddy bears in police uniforms of the Joseon period
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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December 5, 2008
Discovery partners Seoul govt to launch new series
by Kenny Lim
SEOUL - Discovery Networks has tied up with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to produce and launch a new series - Hip Korea - on the channel globally in 2009.
The two-part documentary traces the rise of Korean pop culture through the eyes of pop singer Rain and film star Byung Hun Lee, and how the two local stars have impacted the global entertainment scene.
Vikram Channa, vice president, content of Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific noted how 揔orea is a dynamic place for content |
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Dengan ingatan tulus ikhlas, maaf zahir batin..
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 Weekly Box Office 2008.12.05 ~ 2008.12.07 3-day Gross/Total Gross (won)
1. Speed Scandal (South Korea) 2,731,495,000 / 3,952,842,500
2. Portrait of a Beauty (South Korea) 1,038,625,500 / 14,033,881,000
3. 1724 Hero / Disturbance In Her Barroom (South Korea) 827,759,500 / 1,150,672,000
4. Hello Schoolgirl / Pure Comic Strip (South Korea) 783,130,000 / 3,935,574,000
5. Saw V (U.S.) 460,408,500 / 641,162,500
6. Blindness (U.S.) 382,928,500 / 4,133,867,000
7. Quantum Of Solace (U.S.) 359,024,000 / 14,411,345,500
8. Antique (South Korea) 166,649,000 / 7,276,013,500
9. Max Payne (U.S.) 58,880,500 / 1,609,552,000
10. Mamma Mia! (U.S. 26,081,000 / 29,140,652,750
Source: KOFIC |
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December 8, 2008
Star Singers to Offer Big Shows This Month
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Top balladeer Shin Seung-hun
As the end of 2008 draws near, numerous singers are beckoning fans with Christmas and year-end concerts. Intimate and cozy shows may be the answer for some, but those looking for bigger and wilder shows are in for a treat.
Balladeers Shin Seung-hun, Lee Seung-hwan, Lee Seung-chul, pop diva Insooni and pop icon Lee Hyo-ri are each gearing up and all have promised their best concerts ever.
Top ballad singer Shin returned to the music scene last October with his album "Radio Wave." Having his own concert brand called "The Shin Seung-hun Show," the singer will offer a memorable Christmas event for fans.
Ballad singer Lee Seung-hwan
From a 40-member orchestra and brass band to a 30-member choir, Shin will bring the cream of the crop to the performance. The show will also offer fans two first-time events: a duet with a female singer who has yet to be announced and a special event in which Shin himself will lead the orchestra during the concert.
"The Shin Seung-hun Show: A White Night" will be held at the Fencing Stadium, Olympic Park, Dec. 19-21. Tickets cost from 44,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.co.kr or call (02) 3485-1159.
Singer Lee Seung-hwan has prepared his "ORIGINAL Hit Songs Version Christmas Concert" this winter. He will celebrate his 20th anniversary as a singer next year, and this concert will be a chance for him and fans to reminisce past songs and other memories.
This is the first time for the singer to arrange a concert with only ballads, leaving many of his rock number fans in dismay.
However, Lee will raise the atmosphere with his band, 20-member orchestra and even a movie made just for the event. "The movie will work as a great tool to bring out memories. This performance will be a show that nobody else can imitate," Kim Hyung-taek from Lee's agency, Dream Factory, said.
Lee's concert will be held at the Fencing Stadium, Olympic Park, Dec. 24-26. Tickets cost from 55,000 won to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 563-0595.
Lee Seung-chul will also join the series of Christmas concerts this month with his "Crazy Night Concert." Debuting in 1985, Lee has become one of Korea's favorite singers with his strong, emotional voice, and beautiful songs and lyrics.
  
Along with his trademark ballads, the singer will offer his famous drama soundtracks and carols with a rock and roll twist as well.
For parents with kids, Lee arranged a special playroom just for the little ones. Thanks to professional babysitters, parents and even their children may enjoy the concert.
Lee's "Crazy Night Concert" will be held at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium Dec. 24-27. Tickets cost from 55,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.co.kr.
Female singers, including Insooni and Lee Hyo-ri, are also planning to wow fans with concerts. Insooni is preparing a Christmas dinner show to offer a memorable evening with her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. The pop diva will offer traditional, pop, R&B and even folk songs at this special event at the Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel Dec. 12-19. Tickets cost from 198,000 won to 220,000 won. For more information, visit www.ticketpark.co.kr.
Meanwhile, pop princess Lee Hyo-ri will hold her first solo concert, dubbed "Invincible Lee Hyo-ri." Lee, who had concert experience back when she was a member of disbanded group Fin.K.L, will show what she has as a solo artist by offering songs from her three solo albums and dazzling stage performances. For those who think a small stage and small screen are not enough to present the sexy singer's true colors, this will be a perfect chance to watch Lee perform on a bigger, better stage. She will perform at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium Dec. 19-20. Tickets cost from 66,000 won to 77,000 won. For more information, visit www.ticket.auction.co.kr.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/12/135_35743.html |
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Member of K-pop group M-Street found dead
December 4, 2008 by Jonah
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-dong of southern Seoul.
Lee Seo-hyeon
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. 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.
There were no traces of visitors to the studio other than Lee leading to the conclusion that the death was caused by suicide.
Lee was the leader of M-Street. The group debuted in 2004 and has subsequently released two albums.
(The Korea Herald)
([email protected]) |
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December 8, 2008
Cho Sung-min Gives Up Control of Ex-Wife's Property
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Cho Sung-min
Cho Sung-min, the ex-husband of the late Choi Jin-sil, said Monday that he would let Choi's family manage the deceased actress' property, which he initially insisted a third person should do on behalf of her children. He said he wanted to maintain his parental rights though.
Cho held a press conference saying he and Choi's brother Jin-young agreed to let the Choi family administer the assets of the late actress estimated at 2-3 billion won. He previously said the family could only have custody of the two children, aged six and four.
The former baseball player, however, stressed that he will remain a faithful father to the children.
Cho and Choi divorced in 2004 allegedly due to Cho's infidelity and other "irreconcilable differences." Cho signed a contract giving up custody and property management rights for the two children in exchange for Choi paying off his debt.
However, when Choi killed herself on Oct.2, his lawyer stated that Cho automatically regained his parental rights and that he wanted to have a third person manage the inheritance till the children became adults.
His remarks ignited discussion as to how divorce should affect the property right of a formerly married couple and parental rights over children. Choi's family has vowed to file a lawsuit depriving him of the rights charging that he is "incapable."
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/12/116_35791.html
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December 8, 2008
Korean Stars Lose Out to Foreigners in Advertising
For many years, big Korean stars dominated commercials here, but their territory is increasingly being encroached upon by foreign models.
They come from Eastern Europe and Russia, from Latin and South America, from the U.S. and Thailand. Pundits say the recession has something to do with it, since passing on one of Korea's notoriously expensive stars in favor of a pretty unknown from abroad can cut costs by as much as 80 percent. Their exotic appearance also appeals to customers.
A better employment environment has also made it easier. While it used to take about 20 days for foreigners to get a work permit from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, it now takes only 10.
"In advertisement and marketing, foreign models are proving a boon with their high efficiency and low cost," an industry insider said.
Credits: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21dat ... 2/200812080007.html |
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December 9. 2008
Lee wins KOFIC development prize
Written by Han Sunhee
SEOUL - Korean American helmer Danny Lee has won the 2008 KOFIC Filmmakers Development Lab (FDL) hosted by Korean Film Council.
Lee, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, received a cash grant of US $15,000 for his feature film script "Winter War, |
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December 9, 2008
Box Office Sales for Korean Movies Plunges 10%
Box office sales for Korean movies from January to November this year dropped by around 10 points compared to 2007.
A report by CGV, the country's largest multiplex chain, shows that out of 135 million moviegoers nationwide, around 40 percent went to see Korean films. This is down from 50 percent last year and 65 percent in 2006. But with a string of Korean movies released in November, ticket sales grew almost 4 percent from the previous month.
But December could to be yet another test for the domestic film market with the release of foreign blockbusters such as "Australia," "Twilight" and "Yes Man."
Arirang News
http://english.chosun.com/w21dat ... 2/200812090025.html |
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NEWS INDEX page 71
December 9, 2008: Actors Take Pay Cut in Economic Downturn
Dec 9: Actress' Ex-Husband Relinquishes Custody of Children
Dec 10: 'Beethoven Virus' hits the live stage at Sejong Center next month
Dec 10: Park Shin-yang made a pariah with production firms after fee dispute
Dec 10: Custody questions settled for kids of the late actress Choi Jin-sil
Dec 10: With more steamy scenes at the cinema, critics worry
Dec 10: BoA Shines Alongside Rihanna, *****cat Dolls
Dec 9: Seoul Independent Film Festival 2008 to Open
Dec 10: Jang Keun-suk Opens Japanese Fan Site
Dec 10: Singers Say No to Illegal Downloads
Dec 10: Ha, Kong Win Director's CUT Awards
Dec 11: Danny Ahn back in 'Closer'
Dec 11: Park Banned From Major Production Companies' Works
Dec 8: Kwon Sang-woo and Lee Bo-young in melodrama
Dec 8: Park Jin-hee torn between Jo Han-sun and Lee Ki-woo
Dec 8: Quentin Tarantino urged Park Chan-wook to try Hollywood
Dec 11: 2008 packed surprises - Top 5 Most Successful Films
Dec 11: Jo Sung-mo Wows Japanese Fans
Dec 12: Celebrities Get Together for Adoption
Dec 12: Kim Myung-min Replaces Kwon Sang-woo in Film
Dec 12: Life of Korean-born NFL star Hines Ward to be made into film
Dec 13: Eight Years After Coming Out as Gay, Hong Suk-chon Is Thriving
Dec 12: Internet TV Gets Green Light for Next Month
Dec 12: Should TV Actors Be Paid Exorbitant Fees?
[ Last edited by katt at 14-12-2008 08:35 PM ] |
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December 9, 2008
Actors Take Pay Cut in Economic Downturn
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The global economic crisis and corresponding local business sentiments are spreading over to the entertainment sector. Planned dramas are being dropped from production while top celebrities are willingly reducing their paychecks.
Main broadcasters MBC, KBS and SBS have each cut one drama from their programming budgets this fall, as production costs, along with actors' paychecks, are still soaring higher than ever.
At a seminar dubbed "The Crisis of TV dramas and Normalization of Performance Fees,'' drama directors from television networks, producers from outsource production companies, actors, scholars and civil group members got together to further discuss the reality and come up with constructive solutions.
"Production costs have jumped 25 percent to even 120 percent since 2004. The surprising part of the jump is that almost 60 percent of it is due to the paychecks (of the actors)," said Ha Yun-geum from the Korean Broadcasting Institute.
The paychecks given to top actors ranged from one million won to nine million won in 2002, but the number has jumped to 10 million and higher. Now it takes about 25 million won per episode to bring a top celebrity to star in a miniseries.
According to Ha, the reason lies in that more dramas are outsourced to production companies and because the paycheck system for actors has changed. These outsourcing productions rely greatly on company sponsorship, unlike major networks, which have limits on receiving extra financial support. It has thus come to be believed that the higher the budget, the better the drama will be. Actors starring in the dramas produced by outsourcing companies tend to get more than those made by the major networks.
The paycheck system also changed from the previous grading system to "free-contract deals," allowing top stars to receive more than the general public could imagine. When the actors were ranked into 18 grades depending on various factors such as work experience and years of experience in the business, the actor positioned in the highest grade could receive no more than three million won. But now, as outsourcing firms need the stars to guarantee the popularity of their dramas, the sky's the limit for the actors' paychecks.
Ha mentioned that they needed a sturdy and relevant system in managing the money paid to actors, as well as sponsorships offered by businesses to drama production companies.
Kim Sung-han, chairman of the Korean Television Actors Association, on the other hand, argues that there are only a number of actors who receive such high paychecks and that they needed a more stable and comprehensive way to solve lingering problems. "Actors don't have many guarantees for their future. It wasn't like they were given the money just sporadically. The word 'normalization' does not make any sense," he said.
Others also pointed out that it was not fair to ask only actors to downsize their budgets without further investigating the true reality of drama productions. Amid the worries in current drama productions and the incredible paychecks some local actors receive, some top stars have decided to give in and lower their "star" status and refuse any extravagant checks.
Kwon Sang-woo was the first to announce that he was reducing his paycheck from what he used to get, which was approximately 50 million won, to 15 million won per episode. The newlywed also added that he would donate 10 percent of the money to a celebrity donation organization.
"It's evident that many of my fellow actors and other production crewmembers are having a hard time working on dramas. I simply want to be a small help to them," he was quoted by his agency as saying.
Fellow actor Song Seung-heon also followed suit and decided to pull down his payroll to 50 percent for the drama "East of Eden." It was known that the actor was given 70 million won per episode, which would have been more than three billion won when the 50-episode drama ended. His agency announced last Wednesday that the actor would receive the remaining 50 percent from copyright deals from overseas earnings if the drama crosses the break-even point.
"I wanted to share the difficulties of the people I work with. If the drama becomes popular, then I think it's natural for all of us to share in the success," Song was quoted as saying by his agency, Mnet Media.
Actors So Ji-sub and Choi Ji-woo also announced that they will look into the paycheck cut in order to facilitate a healthier and convenient drama production atmosphere.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/12/135_35806.html
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December 9, 2008
Actress' Ex-Husband Relinquishes Custody of Children
Cho Sung-min
Cho Sung-min, the ex-husband of Choi Jin-sil, will relinquish custody of their two children, he told reporters in a press conference at the Seocho Art Hall in Seoul on Monday.
"I will hand over custody to the children's maternal grandmother and relinquish all legal and financial rights associated with the children," he said. "I wholeheartedly trust the love of the family of the children's mother."
There had been much controversy after the actress' suicide over the inheritance. Cho insisted he had no interest in Choi's money. "I really wanted to discuss ways to protect it with her family, but there was a misunderstanding and I ended up hurting the children again. It was difficult to take the criticism that I was chasing after the money," he said.
Asked if there was anything he wanted to say to Choi, Cho said, "I want to tell her that there is no need to worry about the children and rest in peace."
Credits: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200812/200812090023.html
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December 10, 2008
'Beethoven Virus' hits the live stage at Sejong Center next month
If you enjoyed watching MBC抯 classical drama 揃eethoven Virus, |
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December 10, 2008
Park Shin-yang made a pariah with production firms after fee dispute
The Korea Television Drama Production Company Association last Friday voted to ban actor Park Shin-yang from appearing in any more dramas produced by its 30 member firms.
The reason for banning Park, 40, dates back to last July when he appeared in the hit television drama, 揥ar of Money. |
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December 10, 2008
Custody questions settled for kids of the late actress Choi Jin-sil
Former baseball player Cho Sung-min, the ex-husband of the late actress Choi Jin-sil, has agreed to give up his parental rights to the couple抯 two children.
Choi抯 mother, Jung Ok-sook, will be the children抯 legal guardian. At a press conference last Monday at Seocho Art Hall in Banpo-dong, southern Seoul, Cho said he will give up both his parental and property rights. Cho gave up his custodial rights after the couple divorced in 2004 but regained them after Choi抯 death in October.
揑 have never sought any part of Choi抯 fortune, |
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December 10, 2008
With more steamy scenes at the cinema, critics worry
揂 Portrait of a Beauty擺/size]
Of late, Korean films have become remarkably sensational - eroticism seems to be the new byword for charm.
揂 Portrait of a Beauty, |
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December 10, 2008
BoA Shines Alongside Rihanna, *****cat Dolls
Singer BoA
Singer BoA performed shoulder to shoulder with pop stars like Chris Brown and the *****cat Dolls at the 揓ingle Ball |
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December 9, 2008
Seoul Independent Film Festival 2008 to Open
The Seoul Independent Film Festival 2008 will be held from December 11 through 19 at various theaters in Seoul. Having established in 1975, the 34-year-old film festival has fulfilled its mission of promoting the status of independent films in Korea. This year抯 slogan 揝torm of Imagination |
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December 10, 2008
Jang Keun-suk Opens Japanese Fan Site
Jang Keun-suk's popularity is expected to soar even further with the upcoming launch of the popular Korean TV drama series "Beethoven Virus" in Japan.
Jang recently opened his official Japanese website (http://www.jang-keunsuk.com) and will prepare a special event to meet with his fans. He also plans to provide realtime information for his fans via a mobile fan site.
The Korean Council will also hold a "Korean Film Showcase" from December 13 to 19 at the Tokyo CQN theater featuring "The Baby and I" and "Going Crazy While Waiting," which both star the actor.
The satellite channel Mnet, which specializes in Korean broadcast content, will begin airing "Beethoven Virus" starting December 22. To celebrate the launch of the popular TV series, Mnet will hold a fan meeting on December 17. Stars from the TV show, including Kim Myung-min, Lee Ji-ah and Jang Keun-suk will be invited to the fan meeting.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1559828_11858.html |
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Author
Post time 9-12-2008 11:15 AM
