|
|
Thanks to melusine at soompi.com
JUN Ji-hyun and SUL Kyung-gu portrayed greatest characters
--Yi Ch'ang-ho
Major Korean film magazine Movieweek polled to find out who Koreans regard as the ten greatest screen personas. JUN Ji-hyun's role in My Sassy Girl claimed the top spot for greatest female character with 21% of the votes. 25% votes for SUL Kyung-gu's character in the Public Enemy trilogy secured SUL the greatest male character title.
In close pursuit of SUL is CHOI Min-sik's Old Boy character (20%). SONG Kang-ho's Memories of Murder character came in third (11%).
The top three for women is completed by second placed LIM Soo-jung (19%) for her role in I'm a Cyborg, but That's Ok, and third seed LEE Young-ae. LEE's performance in Sympathy for Lady Vengeance earned her 13% of the votes.
Movieweek compiled another Korea's greatest characters list by itself. This unranked list consists of: SHIN Ha-kyun (Save the Green Planet), LIM Won-hee (Dachimawa Lee), KIM Jung-eun (Marrying the Mafia), KONG Hyo-jin (Crush and Blush), MOON So-ri (A Good Lawyer's Wife), LEE Jun-ki (King and the Clown), JANG Jin-young (Singles), and YEA Ji-won (Old Miss Diary).
1. Kang Cheol-Jung 25%
< Public Enemy series> Seol Kyung-Gu
2. Oh Dae-Soo 20%
<Old Boy> Choi Min-Shik
3. Park Du-Man 11%
<Memories of Murder> Song Kang-Ho
4. Yun Tae-Gu 10%
<The Good, The Bad, The Weird> Song Kang-Ho
5. Jo Pil-Jung 8%
<No. 3> Song Kang-Ho
6. Cho-Won 6.5%
<Marathon> Jo Seung-woo
7. Mr. Kim 6%
<My Teacher Mr. Kim> Cha Seung-Won
8. Seok-Joong 5.5%
<You Are My Sunshine> Hwang Jung-Min
9. Pyung Gyung-Jang 5%
<Tazza> Baek Yoon-Shik
10. Dong Chi-Sung 3%
<Someone Special> Jung Jae-Young |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. Her 21%
<My Sassy Girl> Jeon Ji-Hyun
2. Young-Gun 19%
<I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay> Im Soo-Jung
3. Geum-Ja 13%
<Sympathy for Lady Vengeance> Lee Young-Ae
4. Madam Jung 11%
<Tazza> Kim Hye-Soo
5. Eun-Ha 7%
<You Are My Sunshine> Jeon Do-Yeon
6. Han Yi-Yeon 6.5%
<Someone Special> Lee Na-Young
7. Hanna 6.2%
<200 Pound Beauty> Kim Ah-Joong
8. Cha Eun-Jin 6%
<My Wife is a Gangster> Shin Eun-Kyung
9. Mina 5.8%
<My Scary Girl> Choi Kang-Hee
10. Yeo-Il 4.5%
<Welcome to Dongmakgol> Kang Hye-Jung |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEWS INDEX page 74
December 21, 2008: [MOVIE REVIEW] 'Ssanghwajeom' barely avoids trap
Dec 21: Singer Freed from Rape Litigation
Dec 22: Obituary: Park Kwang-jung
Dec 22: 'Speed Scandal' continues speedy run at box-office
Weekly Box Office 2008.12.19 ~ 2008.12.21
Dec 22: Rain, Lee to Appear in New Documentary
Dec 22: Discovery to air film on Seoul
Dec 22: Wonder Girls Picked as Koreans' Favorite Music Group
Dec 22: TVXQ's Fan Club to Release Special Album
Dec 23: Chung Woo-sung First Asian Actor to Star in American TV Drama
Dec 19: Cartoon Character "Doraemon" to Debut in a Musical
Dec 22: Ten Culture Trends of 2008
Dec 23: YEAR-END REVIEW (3) PERFORMANCE Bucking recession with safe-play shows
Dec 23: 'Boys Over Flowers' to Air in January
Dec 23: TV Producer Sued Over Tightrope Walking Dog
Dec 24: Watch out world, Korean singer and actor are ready for discovery
Dec 24: China Crowns Ju Ji-hun 5th Most Handsome Male
Dec 24: Asian Edition of Rain's Album "Rainism" Sold in 9 Countries
Dec 23: Top 10 News Stories of 2008
Dec 24: Ryu Shi Won Makes a Drama Return After Four Years
Dec 24: YEAR-END REVIEW (3) POP MUSIC
An over-produced, lackluster year in pop music
Dec 23: 'KBS Most Reliable, Useful Media Firm'
Dec 23: 'Terrestrial TV has Best Ad Effect'
Dec 22: Baseball Star Guest-spots in a Comedy Program
[ Last edited by katt at 25-12-2008 10:12 PM ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 21, 2008
[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Ssanghwajeom' barely avoids trap
Homosexuality is no longer a hush-hush topic for Korean filmmakers. But depictions of sexuality take another turn in "Ssanghwajeom (A Frozen Flower)," as a relationship between two men becomes a spiraling triangle of jealousy with an addition of a woman.
But the movie, to be released on Dec. 30, is not limited to sexual entanglement. Sex is used as a key tool to prod the plot forward, often at a rapid pace. To that end, director Yoo Ha includes plenty of explicit scenes of sex and graphic violence. The result, however, is somewhat mixed. The film's poetic justice produces an unlikely anti-hero.
Although the movie sets itself out as a historical drama set in the late Goryeo Dynasty, viewers should bear in mind that the story is purely fictional. The nation is now under the virtual rule of China's Yuan Dynasty, and Goryeo's king (Joo Jin-mo) has to produce a son to keep his position. The only problem is that he cannot sleep with a woman, much less have a romantic relationship with one.
The king's real romantic partner is none other than his chief bodyguard Hong Lim (Zo In-sung). The two have sex in the inner sanctums of the Goryeo court, and we are shown a graphic kiss scene between the king and Hong Lim, which is bound to shock some Korean viewers. But the real shocker comes when the king decides to ask Hong Lim to sleep with his wife -- the queen (Song Ji-hyo). This idea is based on his assumption that all his political problems will go away once there is a royal son.
The king's miscalculation, of course, is that passionate romantic feelings sometimes form after sex. Hong Lim, who has never slept with a woman before, hesitates to touch the body of the queen at first, but once the physical bond is initiated, he finds himself totally enslaved. Love triangle established, the plot sprints ahead with a portrayal of the uncontrollable anger and jealousy of the king, leaving heads rolling in the process.
Director Yoo seems to suggest that Hong Lim has long been subjected to a sort of coercion, rather than a real romantic relationship with the king. Hong is a mere subordinate, while the king has all the power, including the right to order his death.
The queen, for her part, discovers the liberating exhilaration when she falls in love with Hong Lim after years of neglect and inattention. She suffers a deep sense of guilt initially but she finds herself indulging in the dangerous liaisons with Hong Lim.
What is notable is that sex in "Ssanghwajeom" is deeply associated with death. Eros is often depicted in literature and film as being able to overcome everything. The feelings that interconnect Hong Lim and the queen could backfire lethally because they are cheating on the almighty king.
As far as a plot is concerned, the unfortunate queen and her lover bravely defy the obstacles to prove that mutual love is more powerful than unrequited passion. The king's relationship with Hong Lim has been futile and one-sided. Failing to confirm whether his bodyguard is truly in love with him, he comes to realize that he is totally alone.
It is a pity that the king, trapped in a man's body, is betrayed by his secret lover. What the king fails to notice is that Hong Lim is a bisexual who prefers heterosexual sex.
But Joo Jin-mo does not have to lament his role. It is Zo In-sung who fails to create much-needed emotional subtlety and often delivers his lines in an annoyingly mechanical fashion. In contrast, Joo Jin-mo emerges as the ultimate winner in the film. Joo pulls off creating a complex and nuanced character with whom audiences will be able to sympathize, rescuing a film that might be otherwise fall into the trap of having too much sex and violence.
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/dat...00812220014.asp |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 21, 2008
Singer Freed from Rape Litigation
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Lee Jae-won
Pop-idol of the 1990s Lee Jae-won of H.O.T was arrested on rape charges but was released when the victim withdrew her suit in an out-of-court settlement.
Lee expressed regret and said he would suspend performances indefinitely.
The Seoul Eastern District Court last Friday issued an arrest warrant for Lee, who was accused of having sexual intercourse without consent with a would-be star at a Seoul motel on Dec.10. Lee alleged that the action was based on mutual understanding, but the woman claimed she was unconscious from alcohol consumption and unable to refuse. Korean law distinguishes forced sex acts from sex without consent.
Lee was arrested but three hours later the woman changed her mind and made a settlement. The judge also agreed to release Lee around 11 p.m.
Lee Sunday said he would make an official statement about what happened and about his future soon. The singer said he is sorry for letting people down via his Web site
Lee was supposed to appear on cable TV show as a host Tuesday. He may not be able to release his new album next year.
Lee debuted as the youngest member of H.O.T., which is said to have opened a new era of boy bands here. After the sensational group split in 2001, he remained in showbiz by forming another band, JTL, and going solo, seeking success in Japan and China.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 8/12/117_36465.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 22, 2008
Obituary: Park Kwang-jung
Written by Han Sunhee
Korean actor and theater director Park Kwang-jung, who starred in "Driving with My Wife's Lover," died of lung cancer Dec. 15 in Seoul. He was 46.
Park debuted in theatrical world as a director in 1992, and was one of the most well-known theater directors in Korea. He also performed in various films and TV dramas, usually as a supporting actor portraying. As a film actor, he started his career in helmer Lee Jang-ho's "Myong-Ja Akiko Sonia"(1992) and starred in more than 20 films including helmer Song Neung-han's "No.3"(1997).
In 2006, he took a leading role for the first time in his film career with "Driving with My Wife's Lover." He received the Best Actor award from the 1st International Emerging Talent Film Festival in Monaco for his performance as a man obsessed with his wife's affair.
Pic was screened in Sundance and Rotterdam in 2007, and its remake rights were recently sold for the U.S
Source: Variety Asia Online
http://varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/7729/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 22, 2008
'Speed Scandal' continues speedy run at box-office
"Speed Scandal," a comedy starring Cha Tae-hyun, remained No. 1 at the Korean box office for the third week in a row, showing no signs of bowing out despite attacks from new releases.
The film portrays a 30-something radio host (played by Cha) who has to confront his long-forgotten past in a situational comedy format. Although the plot is nothing special, Cha pulls off an admirable performance by wisely staying low-key in a way that allows other characters to shine. A host of clever laughter-educing dialogues also helped to draw in large numbers of people.
"Speed Scandal" sold 544,234 tickets between Friday and Sunday in 530 theaters across the nation, up from 498,684 a week earlier, according to Korean Film Council data. Since the Dec. 4 release, the movie has amassed an attendance figure of 2.54 million, securing sixth slot among top Korean movies of this year.
"Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea," the latest animated feature by renowned Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, sold 330,200 tickets on its opening weekend. The much-anticipated animation, released on Dec. 17, saw 399,791 viewers in five days with the press and individual moviegoers alike producing largely positive reviews.
The No. 3 slot went to "Journey To The Center Of The Earth" with 316,613 tickets sold over the weekend, while "Twilight" slid by two notches to No. 4 with 208,921 tickets sold. The cumulative tickets sales of "Twilight" reached near the 1 million mark.
"Yes Man," a Hollywood comedy starring Jim Carrey, ranked No. 5, selling 190,000 tickets in the Friday-Sunday period. "Australia" plunged to No. 6, and its total ticket sales figure, since its Dec. 11 release, came in at 752,774.
"Dalkomhan Geojitmal (Lost and Found)," a Korean romantic comedy produced and distributed CJ Entertainment, ended up selling just 144,447 tickets, even though it was released in 480 theaters. CJ Entertainment, Korea's biggest film production and distribution company, bet big on the movie by securing a large number of theaters with the help of its sister firm, CJ CGV multiplex theater operator, but the results fell far short of expectations.
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected]), image from empas.com
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2008/12/23/200812230026.asp |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Weekly Box Office 2008.12.19 ~ 2008.12.21 3-day Gross/Total Gross (won)
1. Overspeed Scandal (South Korea) 3,591,212,708 / 16,502,489,656
2. Ponyo On The Cliff (Japan) 2,124,530,676 / 2,554,515,647
3. Journey To The Center Of The Earth (U.S.) 2,075,694,208 / 2,600,214,315
4. Twilight (U.S.) 1,362,304,036 / 6,395,417,133
5. Yes Man (U.S.) 1,257,829,296 / 1,658,506,180
6. Australia (U.S.) 1,013,826,088 / 4,831,729,112
7. Lost & Found (South Korea) 966,705,620 / 1,346,000,432
8. Portrait of a Beauty (South Korea) 62,072,500 / 15,550,213,274
9. Tropic Thunder (U.S.) 21,871,500 / 461,080,513
10. Eastern Promises (U.S.) 19,783,500 / 93,472,500
Source: KOFIC
[ Last edited by katt at 23-12-2008 01:15 PM ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 22, 2008
Rain, Lee to Appear in New Documentary
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Hallyu stars Rain and Lee Byeng-hun will appear in the new two-part documentary series being produced by Discovery Networks.
A tie-up has been established with the Seoul Metropolitan government to produce the documentary, "Hip Korea," which will air on the channel next year.
The cable network's producers and crew recently visited Seoul to film Rain and Lee as they show off the sights in Seoul. The documentary will highlight fun and exciting places in Myeongdong and Hongdae, as well as picturesque views in Namsan and along the Han River.
The documentary will be aired on the Discovery channel in Australia in January, Southeast Asia in February and Europe in May.
Rain, considered one of the most popular K-pop singers around Asia, appeared in the Hollywood film "Speed Racer" last year. His next Hollywood movie "Ninja Assassin" will hit screens next year.
Lee recently starred in the hit film "The Good, the Bad, the Weird," and will star in the Hollywood film "G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra."
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is hopeful the Discovery Channel's documentary will generate more interest in Seoul as a travel destination.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2008/12/139_36515.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 22, 2008
Discovery to air film on Seoul
The Discovery Channel in the United States will broadcast a documentary about the main attractions in Seoul.
Seoul City officials said the production team from the Discovery Channel had completed filming of the Han River, Namsan, Myeong-dong, Hongdae, and other popular sights. The documentary will be included in a series of documentaries about travel destinations set to begin in January of next year.
The documentary titled, "Hip Korea," will be divided into two parts and will feature Rain and Lee Byung-hun as hosts.
The first segment, hosted by Rain, will be titled, "Seoul Vibes," while Lee's will be titled, "Seoul Savvy." Each segment will last 45 minutes.
Rain will cover Hongdae, Cheongdam-dong, and the Cheonggye stream, seeking to portray a dynamic city alive with energy. Lee will cover the up-market Apgujeong district, Insa-dong, and Samcheong-dong focusing on the "tranquil and romantic aura of the city."
Seoul City officials have expressed appreciation to the Discovery Channel as "this would promote and perhaps boost interest in the city by foreigners abroad."
Credits: [email protected], image from yahoo.kr
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2008/12/23/200812230027.asp |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 22, 2008
Wonder Girls Picked as Koreans' Favorite Music Group
The girl-band Wonder Girls has been picked as Koreans' favorite music group for the second straight year.
According to the Korea Gallup, the Wonder Girls received 22.2 percent of the votes in a public poll that was conducted three times from June to November on 4,330 people ages 13 to 59 nationwide. The Wonder Girls have produced two big hits this year -- "So Hot" and "Nobody."
They were trailed by Big Bang (21.2 percent), Chang Yun-jung (9.9 percent), Girls' Generation (7.8 percent), Lee Hyo-ri (6.5 percent) and Tae Jin-ah (6.5 percent).
The song "Nobody" was picked as the most popular song of the year. It has obtained 35 percent of votes among teenagers and people in their 20s, with its overall approval ratings reaching 11.4 percent. It was followed by Big Bang's "Day By Day" (9.3 percent), the Wonder Girls' "So Hot" (5.5 percent), Lee Hyo-ri's "U-Go-Girl" (3.6 percent) and SG Wannabe's "La La La" (3.1 percent).
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1561637_28572.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 22, 2008
TVXQ's Fan Club to Release Special Album
A special album will be released to mark TVXQ's first appearance on the prestigious Kouhaku Song Festival in Japan organized by NHK.
TVXQ's official fan club "Bigeast" will release the album to mark the band's participation in the 59th Kouhaku Festival on December 31. The event will be broadcast live. The album will comprise TVXQ's 22nd single "Beautiful You" and the 23rd single "How Did I Fall In Love With You?" The latter topped the J-pop Request Category of the 2008 annual ranking announced by Japan's largest cable broadcaster USEN.
At the 41st Best Hit Song Festival last month, TVXQ won the Gold Artist Award for the second straight year, and will receive the prestigious Japanese Music Records Award on December 30.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1561419_28572.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 23, 2008
Chung Woo-sung First Asian Actor to Star in American TV Drama
Actor Chung Woo-sung will become the first Asian actor to star in a U.S. TV drama.
A drama production industry insider said SSD, the domestic producer of the TV drama "City Hunter," which will star Chung, has signed a contract with the U.S. drama production firm Fox TV Studios for joint investment, production and distribution.
FTVS is a subsidiary of the large U.S. media group News Corporation, which owns 20th Century Fox, Wall Street Journal and New York Post. FTVS has also produced the popular TV shows "Burn Notice" and "The Shield."
SSD's partnership with FTVS will result in the production of "City Hunter" as a U.S. TV show. The show will consist of several seasons. All 13 episodes of season one will be written in English and will be distributed worldwide.
The show will star many famous Hollywood actors. The majority of the scenes will be filmed in Seoul and Tokyo. Filming will begin early next year.
It has yet to be decided which channel the show will be broadcast in the United States. If FTVS distributes the show on Fox TV, one of the subsidiaries of the News Corporation, all American viewers will be able to see Chung Woo-sung.
"City Hunter" is based on the same-titled popular cartoon by Japanese writer Tsukasa Hojo. SSD, which invested in and distributed "Taewangsasingi," holds the copyright. The cartoon is about private detective Ryo Saeba, who confronts the evil.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1561638_28572.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 19, 2008
Cartoon Character "Doraemon" to Debut in a Musical
The popular Japanese cartoon "Doraemon" has been produced into a domestic musical for children that will premiere next year.
Doraemon, a blue robot cat, was created in Japan in 1969 and has gained high popularity over the past 40 years. It became popular in Korea after it was introduced on the cable TV channel "Champ" as a TV animation series in 2006.
The cartoon-based musical entitled "My Friend, Doraemon" will premiere on January 8. Its plot is about an elementary school boy named Jin-gu, who discovers a dinosaur egg from the which little dinosaur Pisuke is born later. To find Pisuke's mother, Doraemon and his friends embark on adventures in the era of dinosaurs.
The musical was written by Yoon Hye-jung, who writes children's programs, and it was produced by Shim Mun-seop, who also produced " Pororo And The Magic Lamp" and "Van Gogh And A Sunflower Boy."
The musical's production company said the musical will feature Japanese puppet masks, costumes and elements of magic that will make it reminiscent of a cartoon.
The musical will run until February 8 at the Grand Conference Room of the COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 to 40,000 won. For more information, call 02-337-2585.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/society/event/1561405_28564.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 22, 2008
Ten Culture Trends of 2008
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
1. The Death of Celebrities in 2008
The late actor Ahn Jae-hwan
The late actress Choi Jin-sil
The suicide death of actor Ahn Jae-hwan because his debt shocked the nation. Then, the suicide death of Korea's commercial queen and sweetheart, Choi Jin-sil, friend to Ahn and his wife/comedian Jung Seon-hee, jolted the nation. Choi's death hit the nation hard, with fellow celebrities following suit, including transsexual actress Jang Chae-won, model Kim Ji-hoo, and vocal group M Street's leader Lee Seo-hyun.
Many stars passed away, leaving the entertainment industry and its fans grieving.
The first celebrity to leave fans was Kim Chang-ik, youngest member of the group Sanulrim. He was followed by famed composer Lee Young-hun, who died in February after suffering from colon cancer. In April, Turtleman from the pop group "Turtles" died from a heart attack, while Kim Min-soo, member of the pop group Monday Kiz, passed away after being involved in a motorcycle accident.
Model Eon also died in a motorcycle accident. Most recently, actor Park Gwang-jeong passed away after suffering from lung cancer.
2. The Popularity in "Real" Reality Shows
This year welcomed various reality shows, some new and some simply upgraded. The key factor of this year's reality programs is that the shows represent raw realism. MBC's "Infinity Challenge" showed its group practicing for a Latin dance competition and also a nationwide aerobic competition. KBS' "One Day Two Nights" presented a celebrity group visiting villages and carrying out tasks and games along the way. MBC's "We've Got Married" put popular celebrity couples in "marriages" and showed them living in the same house, and spending time together like other married couples. SBS joined in the fun with "The Family is Out," which brought a number of celebrities to the country picking fruits and vegetables, working in the fields and cooking things for themselves.
3. The Comeback of Big Stars and Rise of Idol Groups
The pop scene this year was busy with the return of big stars as well as the rise of hip pop idol groups. Singer Kim Gun-mo appeared with his new album, which was made with composer Kim Chang-wan for the first time since their split 13 years ago. Ballad singer Shin Seung-hun also returned after holding concerts in Japan. Singers Kim Jong-kook and Jo Sung-mo returned after finishing their military service, while "JYP" Park Jin-young, Rain and even Seo Tai-ji returned to their loyal fans. Female singers were also strong, with Baek Ji-young and Lee Soo-young gracing the stage with new tunes.
The rise of the idol groups ― Big Bang, Wonder Girls, Girls' Generation and newcomer SHINee ― wowed fans with distinctive styles and catchy songs. Individual activities that group members pursued were also interesting. Tae-yang from Big Bang released his own album, while Yu-na from Girls' Generation was tapped for the main role in a KBS drama.
4. Big Classical Artists Visit Seoul
Numerous classical stars visited Korea to the delight of fans.
The Vienna Boys Choir started 2008 with their angelic voices, followed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra as led by conductor Vladmir Jurowski, cellist Pieter Wispelwey and pianist Peter Jablonski.
Crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli visited Korea the first time in eight years last April, wowing fans with his charms and charisma. Pianist Martha Argerich and maestro conductor Chung Myung-whun dazzled fans with their joint performance. Young maestro Yannick Nezet-Seguin and pianist Li Yundi graced fans with their tunes. Finnish conductor Esa Pekka Salonen performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle with the Berlin Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela.
5. Stars Moving Out to Hollywood
Several celebrities knocked on the U.S. market with their albums and films.
Singers BoA and Se7en are currently stationed in the U.S., appearing on television, Web sites and newspapers. They are striving to captivate American fans. BoA is planning to release her official album next year, while Se7en performed at a concert in Seattle and will release his album early next year.
Rain has been one of the busiest stars both here and in the U.S. After his small role in the Wachowski brothers' "Speed Racer," he was tapped for the main role in the upcoming movie "Ninja Assassin," slated for release next year. Jang Dong-gun and Lee Byeng-hun will separately appear in the U.S. movies "Laundry Warrior" and "G.I.Joe: Rise of Cobra."
Female actors have also jumped into the Hollywood stream. Jun Ji-hyun appeared in "Blood: The Last Vampire" and Bae Seul-gi joined the cast of a global project film called "Finale." Han Chae-yong will fly to New Zealand next year to shoot the movie "Soul Mates," a joint Korean-New Zealand movie. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 22, 2008
6. Various Plots in Local Dramas
Dramas of 2008 saw many experiments.
Many drama-makers looked for storylines within their own territory, touching on the lives of people in the broadcast business. "On-air" became popular for dealing with the life of a stubborn celebrity and her manager. Kim Ha-neul played a cocky actress, bringing herself once again to the spotlight for her trendy fashion style and good acting skills.
"Worlds Within" also made headlines with its catchy plot, about the struggling lives of actors and drama producers. Its two main characters were played by Song Hye-kyo and Hyun Bin. "Spotlight" delved into the lives of news reporters, yet failed to gain popularity despite famous actors like Son Ye-jin and Ji Jin-hee. Classical and culinary plots were also popular this year. The hit drama "Beethoven Virus" touched on the orchestral journeys of musicians as well as a stubborn maestro conductor. "Sikgaek" offered simple culinary dishes and recipes around the nation.
Last but not least, art fans had the chance to enjoy "The Painter of Wind," which told the story of two of Korea's most famous artists back in the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).
7. Forgery Scandals Hit Local Art Scene
The art scene in 2008 was smeared with forgery scandals regarding works by some of the nation's most famous artists.
The late Park Soo-keun's painting "A Wash Place" made headlines when it was sold at an auction for the highest price ever, 4.52 billion won. But its authenticity was soon questioned as a local art magazine pointed out its differences from the original as seen in Park's Collection book.
The Korean Art Appraisal Association carried out an appraisal due to Seoul Auction's request, clarifying that the work was the original. Despite the clarification, Park's famous painting continued to spark controversy. It was sent once again for appraisal by other appraisal organizations here and in Tokyo, only to bring yet again the same result.
8. Idol Groups Leading the Local Fashion Scene
Fashion advice in 2008 was smart and simple: follow your favorite stars. Soaring idol groups did not only affect the pop music industry, but also the fashion scene. Young fans wearing clothes similar to those of their favorite singers were nothing new. But this year fans and stars alike brought trend after trend all through the year.
Male groups dominated the fashion scene with their tight skinny jeans and high-top shoes. Big Bang was one of the most popular groups this year, and the members successfully brought out their personalities with distinctive hairstyles, both baggy and skinny pants, and even makeup. SHINee was new to the pop scene, but their simple and easy-to-follow looks captivated fans, complete with colorful shirts, jackets, high-top sneakers, and tightly fitted jeans.
The Wonder Girls and Lee Hyo-ri were the center of attention wherever they went, with their chic and glamorous styles. The five-girl group brought retro back to the fashion scene, with colorful stockings and simply dresses. Lee expressed her style with sexy, tight fitted leather pants, hats and leggings.
9. Sluggish Movie Market Ever
For movie fans, this year was not fruitful. The market share in local movies was the lowest since 2001, a staggering 42 percent as compared to the 52.3 percent last year. 113 films were released nationwide, but only seven exceeded an audience of two million.
Foreign movie studios like Warner Brother and Sony Pictures also shut down their operations, citing sluggish sales and the downloading that prevented viewers from buying DVDs at full price.
Despite stagnation, there were still catchy movies that brought fans to theaters, such as ``The Chaser'' starring Ha Jung-woo and Kim Yun-seok, and "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" starring top male stars Jung Woo-sung, Lee Byung-hun and Song Kang-ho.
10. Stars Rush to Stage
The local theater industry is enjoying a boom of popularity despite the economic recession. This is mainly due to its star-studded marketing strategy.
Star power apparently led to the success of musicals and plays this year. Top singers such as Choi Sung-hee, better known as Bada, Ock Ju-hyun, Park Ji-yoon, Dae-sung from the boy band Big Bang, and King-in and Hee-chul from Super Junior, rushed to musicals, pushing up ticket sales.
Also, celebrity movie stars such as Ko Soo, Hwang Jung-min, Choi Hwa-jung and Han Chae-young returned to the stage in various big-name plays as part of "Yeongeuk Yeoljeon 2" as programmed by veteran actor Cho Jae-hyun.
The strategy of casting celebrities worked to attract young audience members. But some critics said that it was only a temporary measure, which merely pursued commercial success without theatrical artistry.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/12/201_36567.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 23, 2008
[YEAR-END REVIEW (3) PERFORMANCE] Bucking recession with safe-play shows
The local performing arts industry this year was seriously affected by the economic meltdown with supply largely exceeding demand.
There were some bright spots, like the relative success of musicals. But they did not always turn out to meet fan or expert expectations, as production companies tended to depend on stopgap measures like using stars for short-term gains instead of pursuing perfection or novelty.
However, some production companies found ways to buck the recession, such as venture theater company Yeongeukyeoljeon2, which attracted over 180,000 patrons this year despite a slump in Seoul's theater mecca, Daehangno.
Classical music, meanwhile, enjoyed a steady year. This was thanks to the success of classical music-themed television drama "Beethoven Virus." According to Auction, sales of classical performances have more than doubled since September last year when the drama began airing.
In the dance circle, fans were blessed with a series of visits by groups of world-renown, including the American Ballet Theatre, Stuttgart Ballet and Boston Ballet.
'Movicals'
Amidst unsteady market conditions, some musical production companies opted to play it safe, resulting in the abundance of so-called "movicals" or musicals based on hit movies.
Considering that many people are already familiar with the plots, the success of the shows was guaranteed.
Starting with "Singles," a front runner in the market, shows like "200-pound Beauty" and "Radio Star" drew a lot of audiences to the theater.
"Just as theater pieces in the past used to adopt their story from myths or novels, movies have now become a good source for contemporary show's content," said Won Jong-won, a musical critic and professor at Soonchunhyang University.
Won pointed out movicals should not exist as mere revivals of the movies. Presenting original elements in the show - such as a reorganized story or special effects - are crucial to their success, he added.
Pop singers in musicals
Compared to the fast-growing musical market, competent theater actors remain a rarity in Korea. One way production companies resolved the issue this year was by recruiting singers and non-theater actors.
Leading the pack of former singers who are building a successful musical career is Ok Ju-hyun ("Chicago") from former popular girl-group FIN.K.L. Choi Sung-hee, a.k.a. Bada from popular female pop group S.E.S. who is starring in "200-pound beauty," is also looking promising.
Following Ok and Choi's accomplishments, more singers, even including members of pop idol groups, made their theater debut this year.
Daesung and Seung-ri from boy band Big Bang appeared in the local production of "Cats" and homemade musical "Sonagi," respectively. Kang-in and Hee-chul from boy band Super Junior, one of the hottest boy groups not only in Korea but across Asia, shared the lead role in "Xanadu."
Andy and Lee Sung-jin, from boy band Shinhwa and NRG, respectively, are currently starring in "Singles." Danny from male pop group G.O.D. is also starring in the play "Closer."
Due to the stars' names, these shows tended to be more successful in initially drawing audiences than other shows.
But from the long-term perspective, the situation is not desired.
While some singers wowed the public with their hidden talents, others were disappointing with poor performances.
"Xanadu" drew huge attention from Super Junior's fans prior to the show's opening, but turned out to be a flop. Viewers were disappointed at the two idol stars' awkward acting and singing, which stemmed from lack of rehearsing.
Alongside their performance, their occasional appearance - about once a week - was also a disappointing factor.
The case for Dae-sung in "Cats" was similar. Although he gave an impressive performance playing Rum Tum Tugger, the sexy rebellious cat, it was simply hard for fans to catch his show.
Still, it is true that theater acting can improve the profile of some stars, said Won.
"But stars have to be able to bring something that enhances the completeness of the show, rather than relying on name values," Won stressed.
Venture theater project draws over 180,000
Yeongukyealjeon2, the second season of the theater venture group, led by veteran actor Cho Jae-hyun, was one of the few companies that survived the slump at Daehangno.
Not only did the company survive, but it was also an unprecedented success in an industry which has long suffered from a small audience size.
"We've drawn more than 180,000 people to our shows so far, with our average seat occupation rates being more than 90 percent for each piece," said a spokesperson for Yeongeukyeoljeon.
Their success in large part is attributed to casting A-class TV and movie actors including Hwang Jung-min, Han Chae-young and Ko Soo, which made the company and their work become something of a sensation.
The second season of the group presented a line-up of 10 plays, including hit works like "Educating Rita," "Night Mother" and "University of Laughs." The performances were approachable to a wide range of fans, rather than new or experimental.
Yeongeukyeoljeon is also said to have contributed to the popularization of plays among younger audiences, dispelling the stereotype that theater is too serious for them.
Content-wise, they received criticism that, despite the glamorous cast, the pieces did not differentiate from their previous versions.
Classical music boom
The mega-hit TV Drama "Beethoven Virus" became the hottest buzzword in the entertainment industry this year, creating an unexpected classical music boom.
"Beethoven Virus," which centers around a talented but seemingly stony-hearted conductor, was noted for popularizing Beethoven's works in particular. The drama's original sound track alone sold around 60,000 copies.
Performances by young classical artists also drew a wider range of fans to concerts.
The concert of the second season of chamber music project, Ensemble DITTO, was one of the most highlighted ones.
The ensemble, which consists of six instrumentalists including popular Korean-American violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill and Korean pianist Lim Dong-hyuk, was acknowledged for attracting young people to classical concerts, although it was evaluated by some as commercial.
By Koh Young-aah ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2008/12/23/200812230052.asp |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Author
