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November 7, 2008
Real life hero of the Korean movie 慚arathon, |
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December 15, 2008
Fashion and the aging process
Who says age is just a number? In a recent survey on Career.com, seven out of 10 office workers aged between 20 and 40 said people should dress according to their age. Many said people over a certain age should avoid clothes like baggy pants, skinny jeans and leggings. Age is an issue even in the choice of accessories and styling. Eight out of 10 respondents said older women should quit wearing suspenders and knee socks were a no-no for older men. Here are some helpful tips from fashion experts.
揝top thinking that you should dress young |
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December 16, 2008
Teen tunes get the rap from censoring body
Christmas shoppers were busy browsing through the CD and DVD section at Kyobo Book Center in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, one recent weekday, hunting for the latest albums by their favorite artists.
But among the classical and Korean pop music shelves, one section was remarkably less active. In fact, there was just a lone, middle-aged man looking through the season抯 offerings. Other buyers were put off by the sign in big, red tape: 揅annot Be Purchased by Those Under 19. |
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December 16, 2008
Real Army Role for Actor Cho Seung-woo
Actor Cho Seung-woo
Actor Cho Seung-woo, a musical star of "Jekyll and Hyde" and "Man of La Mancha" who also starred in a number of popular movies such as "War of Flowers" and "Running Boy," entered the Nonsan Training Center on Monday afternoon.
Cho kept the date secret because he "wanted to start his military duty quietly." Cho said he will be alright, waved and smiled at those who saw him off in front of the Training Center.
Cho is one of the most sought-after musical actors in Korea. After he finished shooting "Like Fire like Butterfly" at the end of November, Cho cut his hair short.
Those who bought tickets to Tuesday's show of musical "Jekyll and Hyde" at the LG Art Center in Seoul can still see him, as interviews of actors and actresses from the show will be screened as a celebration of the 300th rendition of the musical since 2004, when Cho first took up the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde role.
In an interview conducted before entering the army, Cho said, "I can't believe 'Jekyll and Hyde' is celebrating its 300th show already. It is all thanks to the support and love of the fans. I will probably be away for two years. I would still love to be part of 'Jekyll and Hyde' when I return."
Song Hye-sun, the head of Cho's agency PL Entertainment, said, "It seemed Cho didn't get any sleep last night. He probably spent the whole night talking with his mother. I got very emotional when I hugged him, because I have known him for 10 years since his screen debut with 'Chunhyang,' and he is like a son to me."
Credits: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200812/200812160013.html
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December 16, 2008
[MUSICAL REVIEW] '200-pound Beauty' heavy on the laughs
Among the many movicals -- musical adaptations of hit movies -- in Korea, "200-pound Beauty" has probably been the most anticipated because of the huge success of the movie. As it turns out, the musical, now playing, has hit the mark.
It has been singer/actress Choi Sung-hee, aka Bada from former hit girl group S.E.S., who has shined show after show, playing Hanbyeol, the main character. The actress again proved her abilities as a musical singer after starring in "Notre Dame De Paris," through which she made her successful musical debut last year. Choi presents natural, effortless acting, while blowing the audience away with her powerful vocals.
The show last week began with the 300-pound-plus Hanbyeol being transformed into the perky-looking Choi. The actress skillfully presented the unconfident, introverted and faceless singer Hanbyeol doing silly things that caused constant laughter from the audience. Later, Choi, back to her normal, slender self, captivated the audience members in a completely different way, belting out popular tunes from the movie, including "Beautiful Girl" and "Maria."
The musical follows the film's plot which focuses on the generally-unattractive Hanbyeol -- played by Kim A-jung in the film -- who ghost sings for more beautiful singers. But she later becomes pretty -- and slim -- through heavy plastic surgeries, and even finds love. The charm of Choi's singing excelled those in the movie. Because of the live setting that is special to the musical genre, the show created a concert-like atmosphere where the crowd stood up and cheered for the actors performing on stage.
The surgery scene, or the transformation scene, which was expected to be difficult to present in the musical version was carried out well -- although it took longer than it did in the film. Song Chang-eui, a musical actor who played Hanbyeol's secret love, Sangjun, showed his character's thoughtful and warm side compared to the same character in the movie. But his vocals and acting was little awkward from time to time.
The first act generally dragged -- with needless scenes -- particularly, to buy time for the surgery scene. It would have been better to add something -- such as new songs -- that are more unique to the show.
"200-pound beauty" will run through Feb. 1, 2009 at Chungmu Arts Center in Heungin-dong, Seoul. Tickets cost from 40,000 won to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3485-8721.
By Koh Young-aah ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2008/12/17/200812170007.asp |
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Posted on 12.16.08 to Star News by hanfever
Actor Park Kwang Jung Passes Away
Failure to overcome the cancer cells, actor and play director Park Kwang Jung who was diagnosed with lung cancer in March this year, has passed away yesterday night at around 9pm.
Park Kwang Jung went for a checkup early this year after he felt a sharp pain in his head and was eventually diagnosed to have contracted lung cancer. He has since been fighting with the illness and even played in MBC drama 揥ho Are You? |
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December 16, 2008
Michelle Wie professes love of golf, Stanford, dramas from her father's land
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- Michelle Wie says she wakes up at seven, rushes to the green to spend her entire morning honing her game, scurries to classes at Stanford and then repeats the hectic juggle between golf and study one more time before she goes to bed.
She doesn't date, she is a self-proclaimed spendthrift, and she generally likes to stay low-key because of publicity and the hassle it generates in her private life.
So what does the 19-year-old Korean-American golf star like to do when she manages to eke out some free time for herself? Sit down and indulge in South Korean TV dramas.
Wie, who earned U.S. LPGA membership through a qualifying school earlier this month and vows a vigorous comeback in the coming season, said Tuesday she is a bona fide Korean drama buff.
An inquiry into her favorites prompted her to reel off a lengthy list of titles, including "My name is Kim Sam-soon" (2005), "Sorry, I love you" (2004), "Full house" (2004) and "Autumn in my heart" (2000).
"I love Korean dramas. I'm even planning to attend a course dedicated to Korean dramas next semester," Wie, one of the top-earning U.S. athletes, said during an interview with Korean reporters in Seoul.
Considering her hankering for dramas made in her father's homeland, it's no wonder the college sophomore possesses Korean-language skills that amaze even her father, Byung-wook. "I'm rediscovering today how well my daughter speaks Korean," the University of Hawaii professor said, watching Michelle give an energetic one-hour interview in Korean at a Seoul hotel.
The Honolulu-born Michelle, nevertheless, downplayed her skills. "I think I was better at Korean in high school. Now that I'm in college, it doesn't seem as good," she said, citing her parents as her best teachers in the language.
Wie, who made an unscheduled trip to South Korea to attend her grandfather's funeral, said the coming season will likely test her ambition to someday compete on the men's circuit. "I assure you I hold no grudges against men," she said. "Just because I qualified for the LPGA, it doesn't mean my goal changed. One of the reasons I started golf was to play against men. It hasn't changed."
Wie added that as an athlete, she has completely transformed herself since recovering from last year's wrist injury and no longer feels like a "youngling." "I want to be a completely different player next season," she said, quipping that any title on the LPGA tour will now be as good as any major win for her.
"I don't want to go back to the past," she said, referring to the six-year winning drought that has often been a source of ridicule against the teen sensation. Wie rose to stardom after she became the youngest woman to claim an adult U.S. title at age 13 -- her only triumph that has since been overshadowed by a younger winner.
Wie will return to the United States later this month around Christmas, her agent said.
Credits: [email protected]
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2008/12/16/6/0701000000AEN20081216006200315F.HTML
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December 15, 2008
Japan Plans Bae Yong-joon Festival
A Japanese satellite broadcasting company is planning to open the Bae Yong-joon Festival next year. Starting in January and lasting for three months, the festival will be hosted by Sky Perfect Communications in Japan and feature Bae抯 dramas and major TV appearances. The announcement was made on Bae抯 Japanese homepage.
During the festival, Japanese fans will be able to see his signature dramas like 揟he Legend (a.k.a. Four Gods) |
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December 16, 2008
KBS New Year抯 Special to Feature Sports Stars
KBS has planned a New Year抯 special on Korea抯 two most endearing teenage sports stars |
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December 17, 2008
Movie planned about the NFL抯 Hines Ward, his mom and their story
Behind every successful man is his mother
Hines Ward, the Korean-American NFL player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his mom, Kim Young-hee, have given the green light to a movie about their life.
Without Kim抯 support, few believe Ward would have become the sports star he is today. To earn a living, Kim had to work 16 hours a day working as a grocery clerk and maid.
The film is provisionally called 揗y Mother. |
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December 17, 2008
Cho Seung-woo keeps army date quiet to avoid public attention
Cho Seung-woo
Sometimes saying nothing draws more attention. It抯 the case for actor Cho Seung-woo, who appeared at the army training camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong, last Monday.
Many fans were surprised that he suddenly joined the army. According to PL Entertainment, Cho wanted to avert public attention and the date of his enlistment wasn抰 announced in advance.
After five weeks of training in Nonsan, he will be stationed at an army camp, but the location hasn抰 been decided yet. His service ends on Oct. 23, 2010.
Meanwhile, Cho finished shooting 揕ike Fireworks, like Butterflies |
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December 17, 2008
Super Junior-M Named Most Popular Group in China
Super Junior-M has won an award at the Chinese music award ceremony. The branch group of Super Junior targeting the Chinese audience has garnered the most popular group award at the 2008 Starlight Grand Ceremony held last Monday in Beijing. The Starlight Grand Ceremony is hosted by a well-known Chinese portal site (qq.com) and honors top celebrities in 30 categories spanning film, TV, music, and theater. The winners are selected through a poll conducted on 100 media companies and roughly 350 million members from all over China.
Upon receiving the award, Han-kyung of Super Junior-M said that the group is honored to win such a prestigious award and 2008 has been a very meaningful year for all the group members. Zhang Li Yin, another musician belonging to SM Entertainment, was honored at the ceremony with the top female artist award.
Source: KBS World
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/e ... _detail.htm?No=8787 |
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December 17, 2008
Racy royals fight to save a kingdom
Song Ji-hyo plays the queen of Goryeo Dynasty
in 揂 Frozen Flower. |
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December 17, 2008
Actress Avoids Jail Term for Adultery
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
Actress Ok So-ri answers reporters' questions
at a provincial courtin Goyang, Gyeonggi Province,
after the court sentenced her to a suspended jail term
for adultery, Wednesday. / Yonhap
A regional court Wednesday sentenced actress Ok So-ri, 40, to six months in prison for adultery, which is illegal here. The sentence was suspended for two years.
In the ruling at a provincial court in Goyang, judge Cho Min-seok said, "The accused deserves to be blamed. But we took into account her husband's indifference to his wife and she has already gone through immense mental agony since the trial started." Ok's husband, Park Chul, is also a famous entertainer.
Prosecutors had sought an 18-month jail term for the popular actress, who admitted to having an extramarital affair with an opera singer. After the ruling, she told reporters that she is uncertain whether or not she will appeal. "I'm sorry for causing such a controversy," she told reporters.
Her secret lover, a 38-year-old opera singer, was sentenced to a six-month jail term, also suspended for two years. The judge added that the actress's secret lover had felt remorse for his adultery.
Park filed for divorce in October of last year after learning that his wife had had sex several times with the opera singer. On the heels of the end to their 11-year marriage, Park also filed a criminal suit against Ok for adultery.
In response, Ok sought to overturn a law that criminalizes extramarital affairs. She filed a petition with the Constitutional Court, claiming that the law violates the right to choose sexual relations. In October, the court ruled that it's constitutional.
They tied the knot in 1996 after falling in love through a popular soap opera in 1994. They have a 9-year-old daughter, whose custodial right is under Park. Over the last three years about 1,200 people have been indicted annually on charges of adultery. But only a small number of them have actually been imprisoned.
It has been more than 50 years since the adultery law was introduced to Korea to protect women from a male-dominated society. However, the call is growing to scrap the law that critics say no longer fits a modern country with a modern civil and family court system.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/12/117_36270.html |
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December 16, 2008
Theater in 2008: 'Movical' Booms, 'Best Play Series' Hits
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
A scene from the musical |
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December 17, 2008
[YEAR-END REVIEW (1) MOVIE] Korea's film industry grapples with slump
Early this year, there was only doom-and-gloom in the Korean film industry. Major production houses and distributors feared an economic slump would further dampen the market, undercutting the already reduced share of local films.
The negative predictions, unfortunately, turned out to be largely on the mark.
As the investment sentiment hit a new low, a host of small-budget films were released, with lackluster box-office performances. The protracted slump in the video and DVD markets pushed Hollywood distributors to withdraw branch offices in Korea.
The troubles at home also affected the performances of Korean filmmakers abroad. Fewer Korean films got honors at major international film festivals. For instance, no Korean film was invited to Venice International Film Festival, the first time that happened in 10 years. Exports of Korean films are also feared to have slowed significantly this year.
The most depressing news for Korean filmmakers is that the share of local films slumped by more than 10 percentage points to 42 in the January-November period, according to CJ CGV, a major multiplex cinema operator.
The weakness in Korean films was widely expected. While Hollywood blockbusters continued to ramp up marketing in Asia and in Korean in particular, the majority of local production houses grappled with the dearth of investors. The global economic downturn aggravated the situation, pushing potential film investors to tighten their belts and turn extremely cautious on new projects.
If the downward continues in the remaining days in December -- as it most definitely will -- the share of Korean films is expected to hit a new low.
Strangely enough, the number of Korean films released this year did not shrink much. Until November, 113 Korean films, including indie movies, greeted Korean moviegoers, down only 10 from the same period of last year.
But the release number is misleading because there were only seven Korean films that turned a profit. Given that Korea had eight blockbusters that sold more than 3 million tickets in 2005 -- at the height of the Korean Wave -- 2008 is likely to be remembered as one of the gloomiest.
According to the Korean Film Council, "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" sold 6.68 million tickets, emerging as the biggest Korean box-office hit this year, followed by "The Chaser" (5.1 million) and "Public Enemy Returns" (4.3 million).
"The Good, the Bad, the Weird," however, failed to make a profit. For starters, its massive budget of 20 billion won turned out to be too costly in consideration of its box-office performance.
The real show-stealer was "The Chaser," a suspense thriller that became the year's most surprising hit. The movie, which was critically acclaimed and also popular at the box office, went on to win seven awards at the Korean Film Awards 2008, held early this month.
Director Na Hong-jin won awards for both Best Director and Best New Director, while actor Kim Yun-seok, one of the co-stars of the film along with Ha Jung-woo, won Best Actor at the Korean Film Awards 2008.
The success of "The Chaser," released in February, came as a pleasant surprise because it did not sign on high-profile actors. Despite the negative factors, "The Chaser" garnered almost unanimous praise from critics concerning the movie's heart-pumping pace and air-tight storytelling.
Among foreign films, "Kung Fu Panda" turned out to be No.1 foreign film this year by selling 4.6 million tickets, followed by "Mama Mia!" (4.5 million) and "Iron Man" (4.3 million).
As the economic slump has deepened, Korean cinema operators are now arguing that it is time to increase ticket prices, which are currently around 10,000 won.
The government is now planning to help bolster the flagging movie industry by securing a fund worth 80 billion won. The Korean Film Council, a state agency in charge of promoting local films, held a series of forums to explore possible measures to prop up the industry, and recently unveiled a plan to invest 7 billion won in 10 indie films next year.
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2008/12/18/200812180031.asp
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December 9, 2008
3rd French-Korean Film Festival in Paris
The third edition of the French-Korean Film Festival will take place in Paris, Dec 17 |
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December 9, 2008
Wins Jury Prize at Filmex
Korean-American director KIM So-yong抯 sophomore feature [tr]captured a Special Jury prize at the 9th Tokyo Filmex, held Nov 22 |
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December 17, 2008
Joo Hyun-mi and Seo-hyun release duet song
Joo Hyun-mi known as the "queen of *traditional Korean pop" and the *youngest member of Girls' Generation, Seo-hyun released a duet song. The song which the two singers sang is a traditional Kpop song.
Seo-hyun is only 17 years old and singing traditional K-pop may be difficult for her but this might be her chance to show her *talents that have been *hidden behind the other members of Girls' Generation. Fans were curious about how Seo-hyun would incorporate her *sweet and *pure voice into the traditional K-pop song.
Joo and Seo-hyun also starred in the music video of the song as a mother and daughter. Joo is *confident about the *outcome of the song. "I am happy with the outcome of working together with Kim Do-hoon who is at present a *popular composer and the best girl group, Girls' Generation," said 47-year-old Joo.
By Yeom Min-a ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEW ... 17/200812170090.asp |
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