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January 2, 2009
Park Shin-yang to Provide Scholarship for 30 Years
Actor Park Shin-yang has pledge to provide scholarships for the students of his alma mater for next 30 years. He has graduated from the Dongguk University抯 department of film and theater.
Park said on his homepage bulletin board on December 31st that he will select a student every year to give 50% of the tuition for two semesters for the next 30 years. He said that he wanted to do something that he won抰 regret five years down the road. Park also added that starring in the acclaimed drama, 揚ainter of the Wind, |
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January 2, 2009
BoA to Perform in U.S. Along With Rain and Se7en
BoA is postponing her debut as an actress because of her U.S. debut.
Singer BoA (23, real name Kwon Bo-a) says she is looking forward to performing in the U.S. along with Rain and Se7en, because--despite their different music styles--the three of them can cause a bigger stir in the U.S. pop market together rather than individually.
This year, several K-pop artists including BoA, Rain (27, real name Chung Ji-hoon) and Se7en (25, real name Choi Dong-wook) will establish their presence in the U.S.
BoA released her U.S. debut single album "Eat You Up" in October last year and is to release her first studio album targeting the U.S. market early this year. Rain, for his part, will debut in Hollywood in July-August in the movie "Ninja Assassin" and will release his "worldwide album" in August.
Se7en, who last year announced the song "Girls" by famous American producer Dark Child, will launch promotional activities in the U.S. in February along with Lil' Kim, who is featured in the song, and will release his studio album early this year.
In a recent interview, BoA said she looks forward to this "goodwill competition" with other K-pop artists in a foreign market. "I hope we'll all meet up in the U.S., because we're going to feel very lonely. I know Se7en personally and we've been keeping in touch while he's been staying in Los Angeles. He tells me about his life in the U.S. and how he's learning English," said BoA.
She also added that she prefers to maintain close relations with a small group of people rather than with many people and that she will need good friends in the U.S. more than ever.
In the interview, BoA also mentioned her long-scheduled debut as an actress. "I've postponed my acting plans for a while because my U.S. debut is a priority at this point. In fact, I've received an offer from Hollywood as well as from Korea and Japan. If I'm made an offer to appear in a really good production, I'll try my hand at acting," said the singer.
BoA says she is happy to see her junior colleagues like TVXQ, Girls' Generation and SHINee growing up as artists. They are all managed by the same agency, SM Entertainment.
"Singers don't have much opportunity to meet other apprentice singers after their debut. I learned about TVXQ only after the band's debut. I like it a lot. I'm the same age as a lot of the TVXQ and Super Junior members. One of the Super Junior members is even older than me. That's why I jokingly call him 'Super Adult.' The Girls' Generation members are very pretty, while the SHINee members are like my little brothers. The youngest one, Tae-min, is seven years my junior," said BoA.
BoA said for the past six years she has spent December 31 in the waiting room of the Japanese broadcaster NHK, because she has appeared in NHK's Kouhaku Singing Festival every year. The singer added that she was happy to see TVXQ participate in the festival last year.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1563320_28572.html |
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January 2, 2009
MBC Anchor Criticizes KBS for 'Distorting Footage'
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Shin Kyung-min
MBC TV prime time news anchor Shin Kyung-min has criticized KBS for what he claimed was a distortion of footage shot at the scene of a New Year's Eve celebration, Thursday.
In a closing comment to wrap up the MBC News Desk at 9 p.m. on the first day of 2009, Shin, 55, said, "A broadcasting company has deleted disturbance and noise from the footage."
He also said the mood of the New Year's Eve celebration, Wednesday, was different from previous years, with anti-government protestors holding banners and some 10,000 police officers obstructing them. "The scenes shown on television can be different from the truth. Viewers should know that the ownership structure of the media, especially broadcasting firms, is a matter affecting not only the media industry itself, but viewers also," Shin added.
Shin's remarks referred to live coverage shot on New Year's Eve near Jongno in central Seoul Wednesday and aired by KBS, the state-run network. The footage is suspected of not having been live and offered views of Cheonggye Stream instead of demonstrators with banners gathered around Bosingak pavilion opposing the amendment of the media law.
Some citizens complained at KBS' Web site, insisting that the broadcasting station intentionally edited the scenes. They also argue that KBS inserted a pre-recorded applause soundtrack to muffle crowd members shouting anti-government and anti-President Lee Myung-bak slogans.
Others defended the station, saying the program was meant to be entertainment and the rally did not sit well with the overall atmosphere of the program.
Credits : meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr |
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January 2, 2009
Hong Suk-chon's Restaurant Catches Fire on New Year's Day
Hong Suk-chon
A Chinese restaurant in Itaewon, Seoul, run by actor Hong Suk-chon, 38, caught on fire on New Year's Day. Police arrested a USFK soldier known as Corporal G, 22, who was reportedly drunk and sleeping at the scene, as an arson suspect and handed him over to U.S. military police.
According to Yongsan Police Station, fire and smoke came from the restaurant's terrace around 6 a.m. on Thursday. A neighbor happened to see the fire and alerted Hong, who arrived at the scene ten minutes later to extinguish the blaze. There were no casualties, although the fire caused W3 million worth of damage (US$1=W1,340).
Corporal G seemed to have been drinking all night and, to avoid the cold, climbed over the one-meter-high wall to feed a fire on the terrace with garbage, the police speculated. Mr. Hong, who operates five restaurants in and around Itaewon, said, "A fire broke out but there was not much damage. So I presume that my business will still go well this year."
Credits: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21dat ... 1/200901020005.html |
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Kim Tae-hee wants recognition as a real actor
January 2nd, 2009 // by javabeans
Source: SportsSeoul
Kim Tae-hee (Fight) will be the next guest on the Park Joong-hoon Show, the new KBS talk show that recently kicked off its run with a rare interview with movie star Jang Dong-gun last month. (She, like Jang, is known to be good friends with host Park.) The program has been doing well in the ratings, probably because it has managed to score interviews with pretty high-profile entertainers like Jang and Kim, as well as Jung Woo-sung and Choi Jin-young.
Kim is generally liked for her sweet, pretty image and her smarts, but is widely known as a limited actress. On the program, which was taped on the 2nd, she acknowledged that reputation and explained her desire to move past it: 揑 am always given the labels of Seoul University graduate or top CF queen, but now I抎 like to be valued properly as an actor. |
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NEWS INDEX page 78
January 4, 2009: More than 1 million see 'Ssanghwajeom'
Jan 5: (Movie Review) A tale of love, sex and jealousy in an ancient kingdom under siege
Jan 5: Just a touch of femininity perfects a villain - actor Cho Jae-hyun
Jan 5: 'Marine Boy' swims against the tide
Jan 5: Actor So Ji-seob to Debut as Rapper in Japan
Weekly Box Office 2009.01.02 ~ 2009.01.04
Jan 5: Idol Group Big Bang to Offer 'Big Show'
Jan 6: Super Junior Asia Encore Tour Gathers 13,000 Spectators!
Jan 6: Sex proves potent force at Korean box office
Jan 6: Korean film to tackle the stock market (The Scam/Strategy)
Jan 6: 'Marine Boy' Explores Drug Trafficking
Jan 7: Choi Jin-sil's Brother Speaks Out
Jan 7: Teens Boost "Boys over Flowers" Ratings
Jan 7: Korean Films' Audience Share Drops in '08
Jan 7: Domestic movies see worst sales in 8 years: report
Jan 7: JYP, Bae looking further ahead
Jan 7: People who helped Korea shine abroad
Jan 7: One hero, two dramas: winner remains to be seen
Jan 7: Girls' Generation comes back with new mini album
Jan 7: JYP, Yonsama to Produce Drama
Jan 8: Bae Yong-joon has a "Dream" for Asia
Jan 7: Park Yong-ha Returns as Scam Artist
Jan 8: S. Korean film 'Treeless Mountain' hits screens at Santa Barbara festival
[ Last edited by katt at 8-1-2009 09:24 PM ] |
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January 4, 2009
More than 1 million see 'Ssanghwajeom'
Frozen Flower / empas.com
More than 1 million people have seen "Ssamghwajeom" as of Jan. 2, the film's fourth day of screening, the movie's distribution company Showbox said Saturday.
The attendance is a new record. "Tazza: The High Rollers" (2006) and "The Chaser" (2008) drew the same number of viewers in five and eight days, respectively, Showbox said.
"Ssanghwajeom," a fictional tale of homosexual romance during the Goryeo Dynasty, is showing at some 540 theaters across the country. The film stars two top-notch male actors, Zo In-sung and Joo jin-mo. The movie got around 320,000 viewers solely on Jan. 1.
By Koh Young-aah ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/01/05/200901050014.asp
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January 5, 2009
(Movie Review) A tale of love, sex and jealousy in an ancient kingdom under siege
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Jan. 5 (Yonhap) -- A boy lives his whole life believing he is merely a boy. He knows no other than to love, cherish and respect an older male, his highness the king. The boy is perfectly happy in his little world inside the palace until one day, he realizes that he is no longer a boy, but a fully grown man with desire for a woman.
Although sexuality and nudity are no longer hush-hush in this traditionally Confucian country, the South Korean movie "Ssanghwajeom," Frozen Flower, made headlines long before it was released here on Dec. 30 for its bare depictions of homo- and bi-sexuality.
The sex scenes in this historical drama, the fifth film by South Korea's only poet-turned-director Yoo Ha, certainly live up to the hype.
But they are not simply meant to titillate. They are critical in showing how the boy in the palace slowly turns into a man and fights to come to terms with his sexual identity. And growing up is far harsher and more brutal for him, as it is the queen to whom he is inexorably drawn.
Near the end of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), politically ruled by Mongolia's Yuan Kingdom, King Gongmin organizes a team of pretty-looking male bodyguards to look after him. The commander of the team, Hong Lim, has long been the king's lover.
The king, a gentleman by nature, is always kind to his queen, an enchanting Yuan princess, but is unable to love her.
Pressed by the Yuan to produce a son immediately, or else crown a Yuanese prince as the next king of Goryeo, King Gongmin makes the reluctant decision to have his beloved Hong Lim sleep with his wife.
What first starts out as a relationship born of political need turns into the "real thing" between the two young lovers: a handsome guard who touches a woman for the first time and a lonesome queen from a foreign land who has been longing for a shoulder to cry on.
By the time the king realizes his mistake of overlooking the fact that love can sometimes form after sex, it is too late. Overcome with the desire to see and touch each other, the queen and the guard escape the king's watchful eyes for brief yet passionate meetings that drive the whole kingdom into a bloody catastrophe.
A fragile yet fully grown "boy" is a common character theme in films by Yoo, who drew loads of film buffs to screenings of "A Dirty Carnival (2005)" and "Spirit of Jeet Keun Do (2004)."
"The essence is still all there," the soft-spoken director said in a recent interview with a local movie magazine. "But this movie was a new and a frightening challenge for me because I was to talk about two very difficult things: historical drama and sexuality."
The two factors that agonized Yoo so much appear to be mere tools used to complete the director's long-struggling persona. Unlike the two male characters in Yoo's past works, Hong Lim musters up "enough guts" to put up a real fight with the king, who was the creator of his first world, a benevolent father and a protective lover all in one.
Many local viewers may expect "Ssanghwajeom" to be a bolder version of director Lee Joon-ik's "King and the Clown," a 2005 film which was adored both by critics and audiences for its subtle yet insightful portrayal of a love triangle between two jesters and King Yeonsan of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
But when it comes to resemblances, "Ssanghwajeom" appears to stand much closer to Chinese movie "Lust, Caution (2007)" directed by award-winning Taiwanese director Ang Lee.
Like the lovers in the Chinese film who are wholly consumed by a carnal desire for one another amid the political circumstances that force them apart, the king's guard and the queen are drawn closer physically and emotionally due largely to the hurdles that stand between them.
"Ssanghwajeom," currently showing at 546 theaters across the country, drew more than 1 million viewers as of Jan. 2, the film's fourth day of screening, setting a new record for in the domestic film industry.
Credits: [email protected]
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/ ... 0105003700315F.HTML |
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January 5, 2009
Just a touch of femininity perfects a villain: actor Cho Jae-hyun
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Jan. 5 (Yonhap) -- To many film buffs outside South Korea, he is known as the "Bad Guy" in director Kim Ki-duk's controversiol movie of the same name who sells off the woman he loves to a whorehouse.
But to audiences here, actor Cho Jae-hyun is a man of many faces. Slipping into roles as various as a stepfather full of the spirit of self-sacrifice, a level-headed doctor or a fearful psychopath, he can actually convince audiences that he is all of them.
The 44-year-old actor, often dubbed Korea's own Al Pacino, will meet his movie fans next month via "Marine Boy." This time, he plays the role of an ultimate bad guy who blackmails a former national swimmer to transport drugs via sea.
"As strange as this may sound, I take pleasure in playing the villains," Cho told reporters at the production conference of the movie to be released on Feb. 5. "What is important, though, is not the masculinity, but the one percent of femininity that is hidden in these characters."
Cho, who made his movie debut in 1990 through a supporting role in "Portrait of the Days of Youth," earned the nickname "Kim Ki-duk's man" in 1996 after playing the taciturn macho man in the director's low-budget debut film "Crocodile."
Despite the renowned director's success aboard, which led him to the best director's awards in Venice and Berlin, Kim is considered a maverick in the local film industry and has a hard time drawing more than 100,000 fans to his movies at home. Female viewers are especially less enthusiastic toward Kim's works, which have been criticized for their oppressive depictions of women.
"Gosh, I spent many broke days working with Kim Ki-duk," Cho reminisced with a chuckle. "This movie is treating me well and all actors including me have been at our best. You can count on my words." "Marine Boy," the debut film of director Yoon Jong-seok, is a movie that "involves a lot of battering," actors say.
A former national swimmer (Kim Kang-woo) is forced by a gangster boss (Cho Jae-hyun) to transport dope to Seoul from Japan. "Marine Boy" is a secret code referring to the drug transporter who has to swim across the sea to escape a police dragnet.
Hiding the fact that all marine boys are slaughtered after their missions are complete, the cruel boss played by Cho trains his swimmer to become a hard-hearted transporter as well as a class A assassinator. Things begin to get out of hand, however, when the training goes "too well."
"This is a movie that relies 100 percent on the characters," director Yoon said. "I am especially satisfied with the character that Cho Jae-hyun and I managed to create together. We agreed that there will not be any grandiosity and came up with a somewhat realistic gangster boss."
The partial preview of the movie Monday was too short to tell whether it will succeed in becoming South Korea's next blockbuster, but fans may at least look forward to seeing Cho in the bad guy's clothes again next month.
Credits: [email protected], image from empas.com
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/ ... 0105004800315F.HTML |
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January 5, 2009
'Marine Boy' swims against the tide
"Marine Boy," helmed by Yoon Jong-seok, is bound to stand out in terms of genre in the lineup of Korean films hitting theaters early this year. Instead of treading the proven path, it dives into the relatively unknown world of the sea. That's how the film is now categorized as a "marine" thriller.
For most Koreans, however, the title of the movie evokes either an old Japanese comic series or Park Tae-hwan, an Olympic gold medalist dubbed "Marine Boy." The movie, though featuring plenty of under-the-sea scenes, is neither a rehash of the animation nor a biopic of the hugely popular swimmer. It is basically about drug trafficking which happens to take place, mostly, in the sea.
"We went through many trials and errors because there's not much filmmaking know-how due to the lack of movies related to the sea," director Yoon told reporters at a news conference held in Seoul yesterday. "The production crew and actors also suffered severe sea sickness while shooting key scenes, and I deeply appreciate their efforts."
The movie revolves around a former professional swimmer (played by Kim Gang-woo) who falls into a debt trap, leading to a dangerous mission to deliver a package of drugs by the sea. Veteran actor Cho Jae-hyun ("Bad Guy") plays the charismatic drug dealer who manipulates the life of the delivery man, and Park Si-yeon ("The Fox Family") takes up the role of a femme fatale. "I got some basic training before I joined the shooting but my physical stamina quickly ran out when I was out on the sea," said Kim Gang-woo, who previously starred in "Le Grand Chef."
Kim said he was fearful of the sea, especially swimming in it, but began to overcome his fear through intensive training. He received special training for three months, starting by moving his legs in the swimming pool, and acquired the advanced skills for the film, including scuba diving. Kim earned a high reputation among the production crew because he did all his stunts himself.
Cho Jae-hyun, known for his passionate acting style, said he had plenty of thrilling moments when he played the chief of a drug ring. "When I play a strong character, I feel some exhilaration, although I also enjoy playing a soft and melancholy character," Cho said.
Park Si-yeon, who recently starred in "Dachimawari," a comic drama filled with tongue-in-cheek parodies, said she was impressed by Kim Gang-woo's determination during the shooting. "Kim cut off the intake of carbohydrates completely to build up his body, and I thought such a strong determination fits in with the character in the film," Park said.
Kim, however, downplayed the efforts he made to keep his body fit, saying that he just followed a diet routine. What he seemed to be more mindful was his public image, especially on the big screen. "This movie is about strong characters and pronounced colors of characters, and I think I have achieved a new image here, far stronger than my roles in the previous films," Kim said.
"Marine Boy," distributed by CJ Entertainment, will hit the theaters on Feb. 5.
By Yang Sung-jin
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/01/06/200901060038.asp |
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January 5, 2009
Actor So Ji-seob to Debut as Rapper in Japan
Actor So Ji-seob, who has steadily continued his preparations to advance to Japan, will kick off his singing career in Japan as a rapper.
Nikkan Sports said Sunday that So will debut as "Rapper G" in Japan on Feb. 27 with the song "'Lonely Life." It said So made news in Korea in August when he anonymously released an album comprising two single tracks.
Known for his mega-hit Korean dramas "Sorry, I Love You" and "What Happened in Bali," So finished his military service last year and appeared in the Japanese film "Kita Gegegeno's 1000 Years of Curse Song."
Then, prior to the release of his Korean film "Rough Cut," he appeared as himself in the music video of "Lonely Life" in a project album called G. He then showcased a digital single under the name "G-sonick," hiding his identity.
So has not performed as Rapper G in Korea, so fans are wondering if he will first debut in Japan. So is currently filming the SBS drama "Cain and Abel" (written by Park Gye-ok, produced by Kim Hyeong-sik) as well as a joint Korean and Chinese film, "Sophie's Revenge."
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1563700_28572.html |
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 Weekly Box Office 2009.01.02 ~ 2009.01.04
Frozen Flower/empas.com
1. Frozen Flower (South Korea) 3,937,114,000 / 8,554,579,514
2. Overspeed Scandal (South Korea) 2,605,870,000 / 32,338,043,500
3. Bolt (U.S.) 1,271,940,000 / 2,339,706,000
4. Yes Man (U.S.) 883,094,000 / 6,680,541,500
5. Ponyo On The Cliff (Japan) 754,690,500 / 8,176,806,000
6. The Day the Earth Stood Still (U.S.) 636,345,000 / 9,665,520,000
7. Journey To The Center Of The Earth (U.S.) 580,275,500 / 7,956,872,500
8. Twilight (U.S.) 151,531,000 / 8,558,810,500
9. Australia U.S.) 127,224,000 / 6,299,637,000
10. Lost & Found (South Korea) 81,287,500 / 3,072,524,000
Source: KOFIC |
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January 5, 2009
Idol Group Big Bang to Offer 'Big Show'
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Big Bang will hold concerts dubbed "Big Show" Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Gymnastics Stadium, Olympic Park.
Iconic boy band Big Bang had a busy year in 2008, and the five-member group is staging a concert titled "Big Show" to celebrate the New Year and thank fans.
Comprised of TOP, Victory, G-Dragon, Dae-sung and Tae-yang, the group will perform at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium, one of the biggest concert venues in Seoul.
The group's reputation for bringing hoards of fans to their concerts is nothing new, and it's been proven once again that Big Bang is still one of the top idol groups in the business.
The three-day concert tickets were sold through Internet Web site G Market, with more than 200,000 fans logging on to buy tickets when the sales opened, with more than 180,000 fans doing the same during the second stage.
Big Bang originally planned on holding three concerts ― one on Jan. 31 and two the following day ― but after fans demanded more, the group's agency, YG Entertainment, decided to hold another on Jan. 30.
With further Internet ticket bookings planned for Jan. 6, the agency estimated that more than 52,000 fans will appear at the concert venue, bringing them a whopping 4 billion won in revenue.
Some members will work individually as solo artists this year and some will appear on entertainment shows, so the series of concerts will be a memorable moment for fans to see the group perform together on stage. According to YG Entertainment, the stage was built according to a design that looks like the letters "BB," representing Big Bang.
The group debuted in 2006, led by former hit pop group Seo Taiji and Boys' member Yang Hyun-suk. The group made it big mainly with self-produced songs, and its first single, "Big Bang," was produced by G-Dragon. Success came again with the group's second album, "Remember," in November, and the talented members started to branch out and pursue personal dreams such as releasing solo albums, acting and even appearing on stage.
Big Bang will perform at the "Big Show" from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 at the Gymnastics Stadium, Olympic Park. All tickets cost 66,000 won. For more information, visit www.gmarket.co.kr.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/01/201_37307.html |
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January 6, 2009
Super Junior Asia Encore Tour Gathers 13,000 Spectators!
The boy band Super Junior's First Asia Tour - Super Show Encore, held at the Olympic Park fencing stadium Sunday, focused on using the entire hall as a performing stage to minimize the physical distance to the audience.
The 13 members appeared from below the stage, soared high overhead with the help of a crane and moved on mobile stages to reach the standing seats. They were literally all over the performance hall, looking eye-to-eye even with the third floor audience members. Their movement was carefully planned with the help of special stage equipment installed in all corners of the venue.
The show started with the hits "Twins" and "Don't Don!" known for their synchronized group dances. The participation of all members was the highlight of the day's show.
Super Junior members spun off last year in various smaller groups such as SJ-K.R.Y, SJ-M, SJ-T and SJ-Happy, resulting in far more diverse and colorful performances.
Super Junior-K.R.Y showcased a moving ballad to the accompaniment of Siwon and Seongmin's guitar playing, while SJ-T performed its hit song "Rukkuguh" and other trot songs sung by past singers.
The group members shed tears when the audience sang the track "Marry U" from their second album. Then they immediately turned upbeat, changing into the costumes of a vampire, clown and the famous late Chinese martial artist Bruce Lee.
Super Junior will continue its Asia tour in Nanjing, China on Jan. 17 and release their 3rd regular album in March. The two-day performance on Saturday and Sunday attracted 13,000 audiences.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1563904_28572.html |
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January 6, 2009
Sex proves potent force at Korean box office
"Flower" and "Scandal" dominate charts, Hollywood studio releases fall short
Written by Han Sunhee
SEOUL |
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January 6, 2009
Korean film to tackle the stock market
After the success of recent Korean films like "Tazza," which centered around intricately executed money scams, there was little doubt that one about working the stock market would soon follow.
"The Scam," the debut film from director Lee Ho-jae about an unemployed slacker trying to plunder 600 billion won from the stock market, was announced for a nationwide Feb. 12 release at a press conference yesterday at the Sofitel Ambassador in Seoul. The Showbox release features Hallyu star Park Yong-ha, plus Kim Min-jeong, Park Hee-soon and former musical actor Kim Mu-yeol, as the team cooking up the scheme.
Kim Min-jeong, better known for playing archetypal feminine heroines, here plays an ice-cold business woman. Kim Moo-yeol, known for playing criminals on television and the silver screen, revisits this role, this time playing a reformed gangster trying to run a legitimate savings and loan business. Rounding out the four is Kim Mu-yeol, who plays the stock broker who is the brains behind the operation.
If "Tazza" was modeled after George Roy Hill's "The Sting" and David Mamet's "The Spanish Prisoner," "The Scam," seems to be the Korean version of "Wall Street" and "Boiler Room."
Before filming, Lee spent two years interviewing sources to give his film authenticity. "During the research process, I interviewed people who were or had been involved in the business of trading both legally and illegally during the course of two years," he said. "But funnily enough, I found that it wasn't their stories that I found myself getting engrossed in, but it was their speech patterns and their mannerisms that became the most valuable tools during my research.
"I also found myself wetting my beak a bit, dabbling in the stock market during that time, and actually ended up losing about 94 percent of the little amount I had invested," he added. "It was, to say the least, a sobering experience."
Lee hopes movie-goers feeling the pinch of the global financial crisis will come out of the theaters feeling hopeful that the everyman can come out on top. But he also expressed concern that some who watch it will feel the crisis even more, knowing that what goes on in the movie never happens in the real world.
Film headliner Park Yong-ha espoused a safe money management mentality during the economic strain. "I go the traditional simpleton's way of money management -- I just save," Park said. "My mantra is safety first, profit later when it comes to handling my personal finances and I don't think I'll ever risk playing the stock market unless I know for sure what the heck I'm doing."
Kim Moo-yeol expressed a similar stance. "I stay far away from any of the stuff that goes on in the movie because playing the market is a highly stressful and terrifying act of gambling that I would never partake in," he said.
The character actor had some reservations about playing yet another gangster role. "I was reluctant at first and told the director that one of the most abused and used caricatures in Korean cinema is the role of the gangster," he said. "But in the script, my character was an in-between guy sort of stuck in limbo between the underworld and the legit world, and that complexity drew me to the character."
Clean-cut former musical star Kim Moo-yeol stated his enthusiasm for the film's production process. "This was my first film and while it was indeed intimidating, as it was a significant role, I was also at ease the entire time. I was blessed that I could work with such talented and gracious folks who I got along great with and had a blast, almost to the point where I felt guilty I was having so much fun," he said.
"It just didn't seem like work to me. The only time I was having a bad day related to this project was actually last night, when I couldn't sleep since it was the night before today's press conference."
Kim Min-jeong offered a very frank view of playing film's only female lead. "I was glad I was the sole female lead because that meant all of the attention was going to be aimed at me so I was happy about that," she said, garnering a few chuckles.
"I thought I would be intimidated working with so many talented people, but my co-star Hee-soon, who's considered a veteran in the business was so easy going and such a prankster on the set that I never felt uncomfortable."
Before ending the press conference, the director and his cast reassured those concerned that a film about the stock market could only be appreciated by those in the know. They stressed that the film was for entertainment purposes and that they believe everyone can enjoy it.
By Song Woong-ki ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEW ... 07/200901070011.asp |
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January 6, 2009
'Marine Boy' Explores Drug Trafficking
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Cho Jae-hyun, left, Park Si-yeon, center, and Kim Kang-woo
pose at a press event in southern Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap
The upcoming film "Marine Boy" involves treading water, but it has nothing to do with the nickname Koreans affectionately give to swimming star Park Tae-hwan.
Written and directed by newcomer Yoon Jong-seok, this crime movie is about a former swimming athlete (Kim Kang-woo) who, desperately in debt, becomes employed as a "body packing" drug mule by a heartless drug lord (Cho Jae-hyun). After swallowing a 10-meter-long drug package, this "marine boy" must swim across waters between Korea and Japan. Among the many things that beckon death, an alluring beauty (Park Si-yeon) tries to seduce him.
"As long as there are drugs, there will be those who transport drugs. What makes this movie unique is not its subject matter, but rather, the name 'marine boy.' There is something beguiling about its duality, how these criminals are called something that romantically calls to mind the popular cartoon "Marine Boy" or the star swimmer Park Tae-hwan," the director told reporters at a press event in southern Seoul, Monday.
"A friend of mine asked if the movie was about swimmer Park Tae-hwan. Park did in fact get to watch a rough cut of the film and liked it. But I hope people will view 'Marine Boy' as a film with a life of its own," said Kim.
Like the film's title, the stars are also redefining themselves. Kim stripped down his soft, good guy image to play an ultra masculine athlete. The "Le Grand Chef" star had to conquer his fear of water and learn basic swimming strokes alongside toddlers. After a few months of intense training and dieting, he was boasting a chiseled physique and doing dangerous water stunts without a stand-in.
Throughout the press conference, Kim's co-stars and director praised his passionate effort. About her co-star's sexy makeover, Park ("A Love") said Kim's fervent devotion to the vigorous training was "much sexier." The screen beauty herself gives a new slant on her image, trading in her damsel in distress characters for a scheming femme fatale. The newly revealed film trailer featured a steamy love scene between the two, garnering much attention from the press. "It was a bedroom scene but we shot it so vigorously I don't remember much," she said.
Cho ("Bad Guy"), known for both iconic villain roles and quintessential good guy parts, adds another bad guy to the roster. "I actually feel more comfortable playing the more delicate, fragile roles," he said, teasing himself as being a softhearted man who often cries. "But I believe that any given villain character, no matter how tough and masculine, requires a small portion of femininity," he said.
"Marine Boy" marks a plunge into big budget filmmaking for the indie film veteran. "Like the director said, I feel like I'm marrying off my precious daughter," said Cho about the film's upcoming release in February. "I've married off many 'children' (movies) so far, but the weddings have been a disaster.. I've also been very hungry, doing Kim Ki-duk's independent films," joked the actor, inspiring laughter from reporters. "For the first time, I feel like I am marrying off my daughter to a loving, wealthy family,' he said.
Coming to theaters Feb. 5. Distributed by CJ Entertainment.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/01/141_37370.html |
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January 7, 2009
Choi Jin-sil's Brother Speaks Out
Choi Jin-young (right) with his sister
Choi Jin-sil (file photo)
Actor and singer Choi Jin-young, younger brother of late actress Choi Jin-sil, appeared on the KBS " Park Jung Hoon Show" on Dec. 21, and spoke of his sister. "There were times when I resented her for passing on this huge burden to me," said a tearful Choi. "I decided to come to the show because I wanted to show my sister in heaven that many people are still remembering her," he added.
Choi said after the divorce his sister suffered from malicious comments posted online -- and once decided to immigrate to the U.S. for the sake of her children. Choi also told how the late actress returned to the spotlight via KBS drama "My Rosy Life" after undergoing personal difficulties.
"I hope she visits my dreams and tell me that she is doing all right," said Choi.
Choi Jin-sil committed suicide last October after suffering from extreme stress over a rumor that she may have lent money to actor Ahn Jae-hwan, who also committed suicide due to business failure and consequent financial difficulties.
Credits: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21dat ... 1/200901070002.html |
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January 7, 2009
Teens Boost "Boys over Flowers" Ratings
The new KBS 2TV drama series airing on Monday and Tuesday entitled "Boys over Flowers" (screenplay Yoon Ji-ryeon, producer Jeon Gi-sang) is off to a good start, stealing the hearts of teenage girls.
Ratings pollster TNS Media Korea says the drama's first installment that aired Monday scored 14.3% in viewer ratings while AGB Nielsen Media Research estimated the figure at 13.7%.
The previous drama aired at this hour, "The World They Live In" starring top stars Hyeon Bin and Song Hye-gyo, posted 7.7% in its first show and an overall dismal average of 6.1%.
By gender and age group, teenage girls were the most avid viewers of "Boys over Flowers" with 19% ratings, believed to be attributable to the cast of handsome young male actors including Kim Hyeon-jung, the heartthrob of the boy band SS501. The comic-based storyline is also engaging.
After the first show, some pointed out the awkward acting of a few of the actors and some exaggeration in the story, but most viewers said the drama was better than what they expected. Some 4000 postings were up on the drama's Web site by Tuesday morning, many comparing the Korean version to the original comic.
The drama "East of Eden," airing in the same time slot on MBC, posted 27.3% ratings and the SBS wine drama "Terroir" which once surpassed 10% ratings slid to 7.6%.
Another drama on KBS 1TV, "Youth Admiration" based on the same-titled literary novel, recorded viewer ratings of 10.8%.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1564348_28572.html |
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Korean Films' Audience Share Drops in '08
2009-01-07 16:36:16
Korean movies had their weakest box office performance in 2008 in over seven years.
According to 2008 movie industry statistics released by multiplex chain CJ CGV, only 42 percent of the 149 million domestic moviegoers who went to the movies last year watched a Korean film. This is down from 62 percent in 2007.
The figure hit a record high 64 percent in 2006 but fell into the 40 percent range last year for the first time since 2002.
KBS World
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/n ... ?No=60403&id=Cu |
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