Box Office And Tv Ratings

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Weekly Box Office [Friday 2009/02/27 ~ Sunday 2009/03/01]

1. Old Partner 워낭소리 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/01/15

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 365,402 / 2,033,498

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 2,419,638,500 / 13,337,290,300

Screen : 308

Share : 24.5%

Director : Lee Chung-Ryul

Main Cast : Choi Won-Kyun, Lee Sam-Soon

2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 벤자민 버튼의 시간은 거꾸로 간다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 214,729 / 1,336,587

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 1,426,004,500 / 8,719,537,500

Screen : 293

Share : 14.4%

Director : David Fincher

Main Cast : Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond

3. The Scam 작전 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 164,647 / 1,145,041

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 1,095,212,000 / 7,526,449,000

Screen : 341

Share : 11.0%

Director : Lee Ho-Jae

Main Cast : Park Yong-Ha, Kim Min-Jung, Park Hee-Soon, Kim Moo-Yeol

4. The International 인터내셔널 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 114,730 / 149,306

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 796,779,000 / 991,142,000

Screen : 242

Share : 7.7%

Director : Tom Tykwer

Main Cast : Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen, Brian O Byrne

5. Hand Phone 핸드폰 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/19

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 100,706 / 124,622

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 754,081,000 / 3,425,622,000

Screen : 361

Share : 7.3%

Director : Kim Han-Min

Main Cast : Park Yong-Woo, Uhm Tae-Woong, Park Sol-Mi, Lee Se-Na

6. The Unborn 언데드 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 100,706 / 124,622

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 672,006,000 / 822,349,500

Screen : 216

Share : 6.7%

Director : David S. Goyer

Main Cast : Gary Oldman, Odette Yustman, Cam Gigandet, Jane Alexander, Meagan Good

7. He's Just Not That Into You 그는 당신에게 반하지 않았다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 79,239 / 803,818

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 560,334,500 / 5,424,580,000

Screen : 248

Share : 5.3%

Director : Ken Kwapis

Main Cast : Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long

8. The Secret Of Moonacre 문프린세스 : 문에이커의 비밀 (UK, France, Hungary)

Opening Date : 2009/02/19

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 67,391 / 333,008

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 405,239,500 / 2,038,057,500

Screen : 284

Share : 4.5%

Director : Gabor Csupo

Main Cast : Colin Firth, Dakota Blue Richards, Augustus Prew, Ioan Gruffudd, Tim Curry

9. Oh! My God 2 구세주 2 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 65,267 / 80,404

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 436,187,500 / 528,815,500

Screen : 296

Share : 4.4%

Director : Hwang Seung-Jae

Main Cast : Choi Sung-Gook, Lee Young-Eun

10. The Tale Of Despereaux 작은 영웅 데스페로 (US, UK)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 62,797 / 401,638

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 358,913,000 / 2,297,246,500

Screen : 208

Share : 4.2%

Director : Sam Fell, Rob Stevenhagen

Main Cast : Matthew Broderick, Tracey Ullman, Emma Watson, Tony Hale, Frances Conroy

11. Marley & Me 말리와 나 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/19

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 35,499 / 180,572

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 243,903,500 / 1,198,590,000

Screen : 244

Share : 2.4%

Director : David Frankel

Main Cast : Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Arkin, Eric Dane, Haley Bennett

12. Speed Scandal / Scandal Makers 과속스캔들 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2008/12/04

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 34,917 / 8,201,906

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 211,175,000 / 53,330,668,400

Screen : 134

Share : 2.3%

Director : Kang Hyung-Cheol

Main Cast : Cha Tae-Hyun, Park Bo-Young, Wang Seok-Hyun

Source: KOBIS - Figures represent 98% of nationwide box office

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Daily TV Rating - [Monday 2009-03-02]

TNS

Nationwide Rank / Show / Network / Nationwide Rating / Seoul Rating + Rank {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 37.5%, 37.5%

2. East Of Eden <에덴의동쪽> (MBC) - 25.9%, 27.0%

3. Boys Over Flower F4 Special 꽃보다남자F4스페셜 (KBS2) - 21.8%, 22.4%

4. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 19.1%, 17.5%

5. KBS 9 News (KBS1) - 16.8%, 15.4% (#7)

6. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 16.6%, 17.5% (#5)

7. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 16.0%, 16.4% (#6)

8. Crisis Escape Number One 위기탈출넘버원 (KBS2) - 14.3%, 14.7%

9. Kim Soo-Hyun Special 김수현스페셜 (SBS) - 12.8%, 13.4%

10. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 12.5%, 12.5% (#11)

11. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 12.2%, 13.4% (#10)

12. Yoo Jae-Seok Kim Won-Hee's Come To Play 유재석김원희의놀러와 (MBC) - 11.3%, 11.3%

13. Every Morning 아침마당 (KBS1) - 11.0%, 9.9% (#16)

14. Global Talk Show / Beauty Talks 미녀들의수다 (KBS2) - 10.6%, 11.2% (#13)

15. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 10.5%, 10.9% (#14)

16. Gayo Stage 가요무대 (KBS1) - 10.4%, 9.6% (#17)

17. TV Law Firm Solomon TV로펌솔로몬 (SBS) - 10.0%, 10.4% (#15)

18. Korean Language Competition 우리말겨루기 (KBS1) - 10.0%, 9.0% (#20)

19. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 10.0%, % (BT20)

20. 시청자칼럼우리사는세상 (KBS1) - 9.8%, % (BT20)

Wife And Woman <아내와여자> ( KBS2) - % (BT20), 9.2% (#18)

MBC News Desk (MBC) - % (BT20), 9.1% (#19)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Daily TV Rating - [Tuesday 2009-03-03]

TNS

Nationwide Rank / Show / Network / Nationwide Rating / Seoul Rating + Rank {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 37.8%, 39.0%

2. Boys Over Flower <꽃보다 남자> episode 17 (KBS2) - 29.9%, 30.6%

3. East Of Eden <에덴의동쪽> (MBC) - 24.5%, 24.1%

4. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 18.0%, 16.4% (#7)

5. SOS24 (SBS) - 17.7%, 17.6%

6. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 16.6%, 16.6%

7. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 16.5%, 18.0% (#4)

8. KBS 9 News (KBS1) - 14.5%, 13.4% (#10)

9. Sang Sang Plus Season 2 상상플러스시즌2 (KBS2) - 13.9%, 14.7%

10. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 13.5%, 14.9% (#8)

11. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 12.6%, 12.6% (#12)

12. 1 VS 100 1대100 (KBS2) - 12.5%, 12.7% (#11)

13. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 10.8%, 10.6%

14. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - 9.7%, 10.0%

15. KBS News Square part 2 (KBS1) - 9.7%, 9.0% (#19)

16. Every Morning 아침마당 (KBS1) - 9.6%, % (BT20)

17. Parenting Child 우리아이가달라졌어요 (SBS) - 9.3%, 9.8% (#15)

18. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 9.2%, % (BT20)

19. Love In Asia 러브인아시아 (KBS1) - 9.2%, % (BT20)

20. MBC News Desk (MBC) - 9.2%, 9.7% (#16)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

[Preliminary figures only.]

Daily Box Office [Tuesday 2009/03/03]

1. Old Partner 워낭소리 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/01/15

Adm / Total Adm : 45,531 / 2,121,125

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 281,573,300 / 13,880,227,600

Screen : 237

Share : 29.8%

Director : Lee Chung-Ryul

Main Cast : Choi Won-Kyun, Lee Sam-Soon

2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 벤자민 버튼의 시간은 거꾸로 간다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 18,661 / 1,373,789

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 116,810,500 / 8,953,808,500

Screen : 237

Share : 12.2%

Director : David Fincher

Main Cast : Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond

3. The Scam 작전 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 17,942 / 1,182,598

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 113,866,500 / 7,764,511,500

Screen : 264

Share : 11.8%

Director : Lee Ho-Jae

Main Cast : Park Yong-Ha, Kim Min-Jung, Park Hee-Soon, Kim Moo-Yeol

4. Hand Phone 핸드폰 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/19

Adm / Total Adm : 12,484 / 535,904

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 80,962,500 / 3,590,263,000

Screen : 260

Share : 8.2%

Director : Kim Han-Min

Main Cast : Park Yong-Woo, Uhm Tae-Woong, Park Sol-Mi, Lee Se-Na

5. The International 인터내셔널 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

Adm / Total Adm : 12,437 / 174,013

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 79,975,500 / 1,150,503,500

Screen : 183

Share : 8.1%

Director : Tom Tykwer

Main Cast : Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen, Brian O Byrne

6. He's Just Not That Into You 그는 당신에게 반하지 않았다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 9,425 / 822,950

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 61,131,500 / 5,549,409,500

Screen : 188

Share : 6.2%

Director : Ken Kwapis

Main Cast : Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long

7. The Unborn 언데드 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

Adm / Total Adm : 8,901 / 144,927

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 58,608,500 / 955,221,500

Screen : 156

Share : 5.8%

Director : David S. Goyer

Main Cast : Gary Oldman, Odette Yustman, Cam Gigandet, Jane Alexander, Meagan Good

8. Oh! My God 2 구세주 2 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

Adm / Total Adm : 6,575 / 93,846

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 42,638,500 / 616,049,500

Screen : 212

Share : 4.3%

Director : Hwang Seung-Jae

Main Cast : Choi Sung-Gook, Lee Young-Eun

9. Speed Scandal / Scandal Makers 과속스캔들 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2008/12/04

Adm / Total Adm : 5,303 / 8,210,149

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 30,028,000 / 53,378,425,400

Screen : 92

Share : 3.5%

Director : Kang Hyung-Cheol

Main Cast : Cha Tae-Hyun, Park Bo-Young, Wang Seok-Hyun

10. Marley & Me 말리와 나 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/19

Adm / Total Adm : 3,969 / 188,348

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 25,754,500 / 1,248,844,000

Screen : 168

Share : 2.6%

Director : David Frankel

Main Cast : Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Arkin, Eric Dane, Haley Bennett

11. The Secret Of Moonacre 문프린세스 : 문에이커의 비밀 (UK, France, Hungary)

Opening Date : 2009/02/19

Adm / Total Adm : 2,581 / 338,877

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 16,373,500 / 2,075,061,000

Screen : 202

Share : 1.7%

Director : Gabor Csupo

Main Cast : Colin Firth, Dakota Blue Richards, Augustus Prew, Ioan Gruffudd, Tim Curry

12. Pandemic / Blame / Kansen Rettô 블레임 : 인류멸망 2011 (Japan)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

Adm / Total Adm : 2,096 / 37,306

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 13,217,500 / 238,557,500

Screen : 115

Share : 1.4%

Director : Takahisa Zeze

Main Cast : Satoshi Tsumabuki, Rei Dan, Ryoko Kuninaka

Source: KOBIS - Figures represent 98% of nationwide box office

[The Korea Herald 2009.03.05]

March sees dearth of Korean movies

Only two Korean films are getting released in March reflecting the weakening position of local filmmakers.

"More Than Blue," directed by Won Tae-yeon, and "Siljong," helmed by Kim Seong-hong, will hit theaters on March 11 and 19, respectively, offering a much-needed injection of local flavor amid the fast growing lineup of foreign movies here.

In contrast, some 20 foreign films are poised to compete in the local market, a massive lineup that threatens to force Korean films to the sidelines. The growth in foreign releases has plagued the Korean movie industry in the past couple of years.

The February-March period is usually a slow season for Korean productions, but the shortage of Korean films in March is particularly noticeable. Only a smaller number of Korean movies turn a profit, and producers have been forced to delay or cancel their latest projects.

"More Than Blue" is widely expected to be a big hit this month since it stars Korean Wave star Kwon Sang-woo and other well-known actors such as Lee Bo-young and Lee Beom-soo.

The movie revolves around a radio producer named K (played by Kwon Sang-woo), who is in love with an attractive composer (Lee Bo-young). Their relationship hits a turning point when a dentist (Lee Beom-soo) falls in love with the composer.

The highlight of the film is Kwon's newfound talent in conjuring up the image of sadness. Despite the undisputed fame as a leading actor, Kwon has suffered public criticism in recent months. In the film, however, he seems comfortable with his acting, pouring out emotions undeterred -- a revealing performance that will offer pleasant surprise to Kwon's fans at home and abroad.

Poet-turned-director Won Tae-yeon has forged a melodrama that evolves into fantasy, departing from other more commercial films. This novel approach is expected to get a mixed reaction from audiences familiar with realistic melodrama.

Another drawback is the number of cameos, especially by those affiliated with the film's producers, that interrupt the flow of the story unnecessarily.

"Siljong," a thriller, is concerned about a young girl searching for her missing sister. Critics and audiences alike expect that Moon Sung-keun, a veteran actor, will help bolster the overall dramatic tension, together with heroine Chu Ja-kyeon ("Portrait of Beauty").

However, both Korean films are expected to face an uphill battle against foreign movies. This week, a host of foreign films, are set to be released. Leading the pack is "Watchmen," directed by Zack Snyder, most famous in Korea for "300," is drawing keen attention among action movie fans.

According to the ticket reservation data from the Korean Film Council, "Watchmen" emerged as the top choice for this weekend, securing a whopping 46.9 percent share.

Other films that will join the fray this week include "Look for a Star" by Lau Wai-keung, "The Wrestler" by Darren Aronofsky, and "Frost/Nixon" by Ron Howard.

"Old Partner," a hit Korean documentary, is continuing its success at the box office, getting a 15.8 percent share in ticket reservations for this weekend.

By Yang Sung-jin

(insight@heraldm.com)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

DAILY TV RATING - WEDNESDAY 2009-03-04

TNS

NATIONWIDE RANK / SHOW / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE RATING / SEOUL RATING + RANK {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 35.7%, 36.3%

2. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 17.5%, 15.5% (#5)

3. Again, My Love / Hateful But Once Again <미워도다시한번2009> (KBS2) - 16.6%, 16.4% (#2)

4. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 15.7%, 14.6% (#7)

5. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 15.1%, 16.3% (#3)

6. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 15.1%, 15.7% (#4)

7. Cain And Abel <카인과아벨> (SBS) - 14.5%, 15.1% (#6)

8. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 13.9%, 13.9%

9. Consumer Charges 소비자고발 (KBS2) - 12.8%, 12.9% (#10)

10. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 12.7%, 13.1% (#9)

11. Entertainment TV 한밤의TV연예 (SBS) - 11.6%, 12.8%

12. Golden Fishery 황금어장 (MBC) - 11.5%, 12.5%

13. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 11.1%, 12.3%

14. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - 10.1%, 10.5%

15. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 9.6%, % (BT20)

16. KBS News Network (KBS1) - 9.4%, 8.8% (#19)

17. Every Morning 아침마당 (KBS1) - 9.3%, 8.9% (#18)

18. MBC News Desk (MBC) - 9.3%, 10.3% (#15)

19. 야생의오카방고 (KBS1) - 9.2%, 9.4% (#17)

20. 6 Hour (KBS1) - 9.1%, 8.8%

Moon River / The Return Of Iljimae <돌아온일지매> (MBC) - 8.9% (BT20), 9.4% (#16)

http://media.daum.net/entertain/broadcast/...32&p=newsen

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Looks like the ratings of KBS drama 'Boys Over Flower' will keep on climbing...

Source: The Korea Herald 2009.03.06

Rise of the 'Flower Boys'

Maybe the time has finally arrived for women in this formerly Confucian society to openly appreciate the beauty of the opposite gender.

Or it may be that boys have actually become much "prettier" than before, and are beyond the traditional male attributes defined in such vocabularies as "tall, dark and handsome."

Well, the four main male characters in KBS hit drama "Boys Before Flowers" are definitely tall, handsome, and all of them jaw-droppingly rich. But that's hardly enough to describe the huge pop culture sensation that has literally engulfed Korea.

The four "flower boys" or "F4" have captivated the hearts of women of all ages in the country, be it a seven-year-old girl or 50-year-old housewife. Many men also watch it, though the majority of fans are women.

"Boys Before Flowers" can be considered something like the Asian version of America's huge hits "The O.C." or "Gossip Girl" that depict a hyper-luxury lifestyle of teenagers.

The series is only mid-way through, but the cast members (led by oh-so-charming Lee Min-ho playing main character Goo Joon-pyo) have become household names. The ratings hover around the high 30 percent and could climb higher.

"By watching these unrealistically rich and charming boys going out of their way to help Geum Jan-di (main female character played by Koo Hye-sun) in her quagmires, as well as watching the scenes where she is reluctantly showered with gifts and makeovers, I get a sense of satisfaction at least inside the television," said Lee Ji-ah, a 26-year-old graduate student, who watches the show religiously.

The drama is so popular that some shows are dedicated to it. Putting a comedic spin on the series that some say are simply "too corny," such comedy programs as Gagya of MBC and Gag Concert of KBS have recreated the main characters for parody.

This is undoubtedly the big break for Lee Min-ho, 22, who was a struggling actor before the drama and now the envy of a multitude of aspiring actors. He is expected to take in as much as 1.5 billion won ($970,000) in profit this year, not to mention fast becoming the most coveted celebrity in business advertisements.

Apparel company Bean Pole, a sponsor of "Boys Before Flowers" and creator of the famous school uniform featured in the drama, has also seen a burst in recognition and a rise in sales.

Korea's largest community site Cyworld has also benefited from the latest pop phenomenon by producing emoticons for each of the five major cast members, which they say are in high demand from users.

Fashion magazines are filled with pictures and stories about the flower boys, while portal sites of Korea are filled with news, pictures and blogs dedicated to them.

It seems people just cannot get enough of them.

"Boys Before Flowers" or "Hana Yori Dango" in Japanese is actually a familiar story for women in their teens, 20s and 30s. The original comic book with the same title by Japan's Yoko Kamio is considered like a bible for those who enjoy Japanese romantic manga. The series ran between 1992 and 2003 to eventually comprise a whopping 37 volumes. It sold over 54 million copies by 2005.

The title is a pun on the Japanese old saying "Dumplings before flowers," referring to people who attend Hanami (flower festival), but instead of enjoying flowers, focus more on the materialistic side of the event such as getting food and buying souvenirs.

The plot is quite old school as well. Geum Jan-di, the main female character, is a girl from a poor family but has an unrivaled sense of optimism and drive and is by chance admitted to a prestigious private high school.

There she meets the infamous group of four astonishingly good looking and rich boys. The group's leader is Goo Joon-pyo, who is a spoiled heir to world-leading conglomerate Shinhwa. He is joined by mysterious and breathlessly handsome Yoon Ji-hoo, played by member of idol pop group SS501 Kim Hyun-joong, So Yi-jung played by Kim Bum, and Song Woo-bin, played by Kim Joon. Their love story moves from Seoul to New Caledonia to Macau, while their wardrobes, vehicles and houses also entertain the eyes with their over-the-top extravagance.

With their super powerful parents and backgrounds, it almost seems there's no stopping these boys, until of course, they are met by the "harsh" reality of having to follow to their destined routes, such as inheriting the Shinhwa Group.

"I actually am so over the whole immature high school love story, but I end up watching it because there's just so much to see. It is like eye candy on all aspects combined into one show," said Shin Se-young, a 35-year-old office worker.

Lee Ji-yeon, a 30-year-old single woman, explains that she is a fan of the show because it is blatantly lavish and dreamlike. She says it's easy to just fall into it without bothering to think about whether the plots are realistic or not.

"It's like watching real people play out the comic book to a tee."

There are also other interpretations as to why "Boys Before Flowers" is such a great hit in Korea.

The obvious reason is the near perfect casting of the F4. Fair to say, their acting skills are considered not up to par, sometimes even cringe-inducing. But main player Lee Min-ho shines, with his believable adaptation of the Joon-pyo character. Lee actually manages quite well to portray the spoiled kid of a billionaire who shows little to no respect to people around him, but turns all soft and mushy once in a while, at least to the love of his life Jan-di.

"One of the reasons for the character Goo to be so popular could be that he touches the embedded masochism of viewers by being mean and then he can be kind all of a sudden, getting the counterpart to appreciate that even more," said Kim Mi-hyun, literature critic and professor of Ewha Womans University.

It is also a shared opinion among the fans of F4 that while watching it, they forget about everything else and the less-than-rosy reality of life, especially at this time of economic hardship.

"This may represent a distorted adoration or aspiration towards people with money or chaebols. It is usually the case where the worse the economy the more popular the wealthy become.

The popularity of this program also represents the new aggressive nature of consumption," Kim said.

"One problem, however, with the program is that these boys represented in the stories are in their teens and spending like kings. The unreality of it may be the attractive factor but it may also provoke a sort of wild-goose chase," she said.

Whatever the reason, it appears that the F4 phenomenon is here to stay for now as fans appear to be not getting enough of it.

The original manga "Boys Before Flower" is enjoying a resurrection of its sales. Over 132,000 copies were sold in the months of January and February, according to its publisher Seoul Media Group. This is a huge surge compared to about 42,000 copies in yearly sales of the past.

The series is already signing deals with overseas television networks for viewing, following the footsteps of Japan and Taiwan, which have also reprised the comic book series in television series and movies.

New Caledonia, which was featured in the earlier part of the drama as the set where the main female and male characters confirm their love, is seeing an increase in the number of potential travelers.

"It will take time for the actual number of travelers to New Caledonia to rise considering the current economic situation here. But New Caledonia definitely put itself on the map of coveted travel destinations through this drama series. Now, everyone from kids to adults in their 40s and 50s know Goo Joon-pyo's New Caledonia. We are satisfied enough for having raised its recognition," said Lee Myeong-hwan, who heads the Korean office of New Caledonia Tourism.

By Lee Joo-hee

(angiely@heraldm.com)

Source: KBS 2009-03-04

“Boys over Flowers” Syndrome

Every Monday and Tuesday evening at 10 p.m., local viewers’ eyes are glued to the small screens, engrossed in the hit TV series “Boys over Flowers” which currently airs on KBS 2. Since its television debut on January 5 this year, 17 episodes of the series have been aired. Female viewers are swooning over the attractive male stars who, as the title suggests, seem even prettier than flowers. The series has even stirred a “pretty-boy syndrome” across the nation.

The television drama “Boys over Flowers” is based on the comic series by the same title written by comic artist Kamio Yoko. The original title of the TV series is “Hanayori Dan-go” in Japanese. The hit drama is about a romance and events that occur between the four rich and pretty boys, dubbed F4, and the plain heroine with an innocent, bright smile. The “F” in F4 stands for flower. The main plot of the original work is the love story between the arrogant leader of F4, Tsukasa and an ordinary but tough girl, Tsukushi.

Since its first serial publication in 1992, “Boys over Flowers” has been reborn into various genres and adored loved by Asian fans. The animation version first hit the TV screens in Japan in 1995 and it was successfully remade as the TV series “Meteor Garden” in Taiwan in 2001, which became a major hit. The actors who starred as F4 in Taiwan even formed a band of the same title and continue to stage performances.

The 2005 Japanese version which also featured young TV personalities recorded the highest audience rating. After the 2007 Season 2 production, the story was even adapted into a film and, again, recorded number-one box-office profits. “Boys over Flowers” finally saw its Korean version hit the local TV screen in January of this year. Bae Jong-byeong, the planning producer of the drama production company Group Eight, tells us about the Korean version.

I wanted to produce a fun drama that would make viewers feel at ease. In the case of “Boys over Flowers”, each episode is full of attractive characters. And it is also the world’s best-selling boys-meet-girls comic. What’s more, it was a successful concept in Japan, where it became a major hit as a drama and film. Some questioned whether we should reproduce an already popular and well-known program. But why did we produce it? Well, we chose it because of the familiarity, the drama’s competitive edge. If we carefully remake a familiar work, we could create an even better one. That’s why we produced the drama.

The production crew had high expectations for the third remake of “Boys over Flowers”, which followed those in Taiwan and Japan. But the popularity of the Korean version with domestic flavor surpassed the crew’s expectation. After just three episodes, viewers’ satisfaction rating climbed over 20 percent, and it’s taking YouTube, America’s representative UCC Web site, by storm. About 3,000 related video clips have been posted on the Web site while some 10 million viewers have visited the site. So, what is the secret behind the success of the Korean version? The first factor is the casting of the main characters F4.

Since the plot is very familiar, we thought that well-known actors would dilute the unique characteristics of the main roles. That’s why we chose new faces. Usually when we pick actors, we test their image and their acting abilities, but the first priority of F4 was the appearance. In fact, we put more weight on the image than the acting ability. We could check their potential by testing their vocalization. Then we trained them after the casting.

The discovery of fresh faces renewed interest in the small screen among teen viewers. Before “Boys over Flowers”, young audiences were diminishing due to the lack of interesting TV dramas. Here is Bae again.

The existing broadcasting stations usually rely on audience ratings. So they tend to feature top stars and produce projects guaranteed to succeed. That’s why teenagers lost interest in TV. They were bored with unified, stale and uninteresting dramas. But the story of “Boys over Flowers” is about teens these viewers can relate to. There wasn’t much screen content teenagers could enjoy. But this drama provides an entertaining culture they can share and enjoy by themselves. Maybe that’s why young viewers are back to the small screens again.

The second reason behind the success of “Boys over Flowers” is the well-utilized concept of “high fantasy romance.” TV dramas basically rely on fiction, but in case of “Boys over Flowers”, viewers are attracted to the fantasy based on reality. Producer Bae tells more.

As we prepared for this work, we wanted to offer joy and a fluttering feeling to the viewers. But we had some rules. We wanted to compile all the fantasies found in dramas and showcase them to the viewers, and it worked. Cheerful and speedy development in a familiar and easy-to-follow storyline appealed to the TV viewers. A fantasy based on reality can easily engage the audience in the story. In “Boys over Flowers”, we can find all kinds of rich people and handsome boys, which depicts the so-called world of neo-aristocrats. The setting is very unrealistic, yet, possible. That’s the attractive point of the drama. This kind of fantasy in TV programs provides dreams and hope as well as fun to the viewers. That’s the strength of the tale of “romantic fantasy.”

The four pretty boys of F4, who look like characters straight out of romantic comic books, are appealing to viewers ranging from teens to people in their thirties and forties. Although the F4 members are arrogant and stubborn, they have sincere hearts, so people are captivated by the humanistic qualities of these romantic characters. Another factor in the series’ success is its outstanding imagery, captured in overseas locations.

Due to the TV series’ great influential power over the public, we were invited to many foreign locations to shoot the drama. Some 17 countries offered sponsorship, but the most important condition for the shooting was to find a new venue that wouldn’t restrict the original fantasy, but rather maximize the effect. The scenes shot at New Caledonia were beautiful, and haven’t been seen before in other dramas. We even hired the crew who shot the film “Lord of Rings” to capture the aerial photography. In the case of the scenes shot in Macau, we had access to the world’s best casino resorts.

The background music is another element lending to the series’ appeal. The tune you are listening to right now is the drama’s theme song “Almost Paradise.” Amidst the stagnant recording industry, more than 100-thousand sound tracks have been sold. Here is songwriter Oh Jun-seong.

Since the drama is based on comic, I used the animation film music techniques to expand the scale of the background music. The music in the Japanese version is a bit heavy, while our version has a brighter tone. Differentiating from Japan, we used several different melodies befitting each character. Since we are a newcomer, we could fully prepare for the project with more resources and create music that suits local tastes. Unlike the Japanese version, which doesn’t rely much on background music, our tunes are very lively and match perfectly to each scene.

Every time one of the male characters and the heroine Geum Jan-di appear together, different theme songs are played. The varying themes maximize the image of each role and viewers find themselves further engrossed in the program.

The Japanese public was also interested in checking out the Korean version of the famous production. The drama’s official Web site was unveiled in Japan on December 26 of last year, even before the show debuted in Korea. If you visit the site hanadan-k.com, you can watch the clippings that introduce the main characters.

The Korean version of “Boys over Flowers” will be aired in Japan this summer. It will be broadcast on regular network channels in Tokyo, not on cable, so the interest in the Korean version is actually higher than that of the original, Japanese, production. In May, a two-night, three-day tour of shooting locations in Korea will begin. In addition, an official guidebook of the drama will be published and the Korean sound track will be released in Japan. Although the story originated in Japan, the work has been reborn in Korea as part of the Korean Wave. Hong Sa-jong, CEO of Meerae Imagination Institute, tells us about future cultural contents.

There are many cases in which remade works which originated in Japan have become successful in Korea, such as the film “Old Boy” and the musical “Lion King” based on “The King of the Jungle Leo.” Since most of the tales were from Japan, we could call it a Japanese Wave. But the Japanese Wave can transform into a Korean Wave. It doesn’t matter where the concept originates. If we reproduce it into a successful local version, it can become a Korean Wave with Korean style. Outstanding projects, even if they are from overseas, can be remade into a world-class cultural content with Korean flavor. That’s why we don’t have to be restricted by the origin of the work. What matters is re-creation. Think of it as creating a new, local, cultural content, like Disney animations did. So, we need to learn how to adapt the work and develop it into a Korean style. If we utilize our advanced computer graphic technology and create a better production, it will be even more appealing than the original work.

The UCLA Asian Studies Center in the U.S. gives more credit to the Korean version than to both the original work by Japan and the Taiwanese version. Not only did the Korean version carry on the popularity of the original work, the production crew upgraded other features of the drama such as casting, imagery and directorial skill. The 21st century is a “society of stories”. New culture will be born if we produce stories based on imagination and ideas. A well-executed storyline can even upgrade the competitive power of the nation. We have already experienced the power of the “story industry” through the Korean Wave which rippled through Asia. This spring, the “Boys over Flowers” syndrome is stirring a refreshing breeze of local pop culture. As fans all over the globe catch on to the popular series, we hope the enthusiasm will bring about a second Korean Wave.

[Guest kdramafanusa]

DAILY TV RATING - THURSDAY 2009-03-05

TNS

NATIONWIDE RANK / SHOW / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE RATING / SEOUL RATING + RANK {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 37.6%, 38.7%

2. Happy Together 해피투게더 (KBS2) - 18.8%, 19.7%

3. What An Amazing World 순간포착세상에이런일이 (SBS) - 18.2%, 18.0%

4. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 18.2%, 17.0% (#5)

5. Again, My Love / Hateful But Once Again <2009 미워도다시한번> (KBS2) - 17.1%, 16.9% (#6)

6. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 15.8%, 17.2% (#4)

7. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 15.8%, 15.6% (#7)

8. Cain And Abel <카인과아벨> (SBS) - 15.3%, 15.5%

9. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 13.9%, 14.5%

10. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 13.5%, 13.0%

11. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 12.7%, 12.7%

12. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 12.1%, 12.1%

13. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - 10.0%, 10.0%

14. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 9.8%, 8.7% (#17)

15. 6 Hour (KBS1) - 9.5%, 9.0% (#16)

16. Moon River / The Return Of Iljimae <돌아온일지매> (MBC) - 9.1%, 9.7% (#14)

17. 시청자칼럼우리사는세상 (KBS1) - 8.8%, % (BT20)

18. KBS News Square part 2 (KBS1) - 8.7%, % (BT20)

19. Secret Of Life 생로병사의비밀 (KBS1) - 8.3%, 8.5%

20. Morning Show 'This Morning' 생방송오늘아침 (MBC) - 8.0%, % (BT20)

Dissatisfaction Zero special 불만제로스페셜 (MBC) - % (BT20), 9.2% (#15)

MBC News Desk (MBC) - % (BT20), 8.7% (#18)

How Much 아이디어하우머치 (SBS) - % (BT20), 8.3% (#20)

AGB

NATIONWIDE RANK / SHOW / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE RATING / SEOUL RATING + RANK {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 36.1%, 34.3%

2. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 21.0%, 21.4%

3. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 18.7%, 19.7%

4. Again, My Love / Hateful But Once Again <2009 미워도다시한번> (KBS2) - 18.2%, 18.4%

5. What An Amazing World 순간포착 (SBS) - 17.2%, 17.0% (#6)

6. Happy Together 해피투게더 (KBS2) - 16.8%, 17.9% (#5)

7. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 15.3%, 15.7% (#8)

8. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 15.1%, 16.0% (#7)

9. KBS 9 News (KBS1) - 14.9%, 15.0%

10. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 14.0%, 13.8%

11. Cain And Abel <카인과아벨> (SBS) - 13.9%, 13.8% (#10)

12. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 13.2%, 12.6%

13. 시청자칼럼우리사는세상 (KBS1) - 12.1%, 12.1%

14. KBS News Network (KBS1) - 11.0%, 11.2% (#16)

14. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - 11.0%, 11.6%

16. 6 Hour (KBS1) - 10.9%, 10.3% (#18)

17. Moon River / The Return Of Iljimae <돌아온일지매> (MBC) - 10.6%, 11.3% (#15)

18. Secret Of Life 생로병사의비밀 (KBS1) - 10.4%, 11.0% (#17)

19. Beauty Song 사미인곡 (KBS1) - 10.2%, 10.2%

20. MBC News Desk (MBC) - 9.7%, 10.1%

[JoongAng Daily]

Culture hits a ‘dead end’

February 28, 2009

A husband conspires with his lover to kill his wife, but the wife survives and comes back, transformed into another person, for revenge. In her new form she looks exactly the same, but with a spot on her face. Yet her own parents and brother cannot recognize her, not to mention her husband. She masters four foreign languages, golf and swimming in just six months.

This is the story line of the SBS TV drama, “Temptation.” It is an absurd story that would even put “The Count of Monte Cristo” to shame, but it is so popular among Korean housewives these days that you would have difficulty being included in their conversations if you do not watch it.

With the success of “Temptation,” so-called “dead-end dramas” have taken over television. It is no use changing the channel. All the dramas put aside internal character descriptions and detailed narratives in favor of abnormal characters and unrealistic incidents that ignore the laws of probability.

A makjang, or dead end, is defined as “the dead end of a mineshaft” in the Korean dictionary. As the Korean expression insaeng makjang (“dead-end life”) reflects, “dead-end dramas” are so simple and blatantly suggestive that they cannot go any deeper.

Everyone criticizes them, but the broadcasting company is not going to budge because the TV program has ratings around the 40 percent mark, and attracts a loyal fan base appealing to advertisers. Some defenders even say, “Shakespeare’s plays include so-called ‘dead ends,’ too.”

In some ways, this is true. Richard from “Richard III” impudently proposes to the woman whose husband he killed, and proposes to his niece, despite being cursed by his mother and sister-in-law. In other plays people cannot differentiate between male and female twins (“Twelfth Night”), and a tragedy occurs due to a mysterious drug that makes a person appear dead (“Romeo and Juliet”).

I am not saying we should expect more from a TV drama when similar contrivances are found even in the classics. Putting everything else aside, let’s look at when Shakespeare wrote: from the end of the 16th to the beginning of the 17th century, around the same time the old Korean novel “The Story of Hong Gil-dong” was written. In other words, “dead-end dramas” regress our entertainment standards by 400 years.

I believe the bad economy has something to do with people flocking to “dead-end” stories that can be enjoyed without thinking too much. The news from Broadway, New York City, is that large-scale musicals are continuously closing, and that the risque, disposable musical form of the burlesque is making a strong comeback for the first time in 100 years because of the stagnant economy. Perhaps we can take comfort in that Korea too is participating in the latest international trend of “declining popular culture.”

The writer is a team manager at JES Entertainment.

By Song Won-sup [five@joongang.co.kr]

[JoongAng Daily]

Out of balance at MBC

March 06, 2009

A host of MBC’s news and current affairs programs has received disciplinary punishment for having violated media standards.

In a meeting held Wednesday the Korea Communications Standards Commission ruled that the MBC current affairs show “News Who” had violated fairness and objectivity and must deliver an apology to its viewers, which is a severe punishment. The commission issued a warning to the program “News Desk” and an advisory message to the program “Current Affairs Magazine 2580.”

The commission’s decision to punish MBC is an appropriate measure to prevent a public broadcaster from being used unfairly. MBC should humbly accept the decision and make an effort to be reborn as a broadcaster that is fair and objective.

It is, however, difficult to sense any remorse from some of MBC’s employees. One News Desk staff member appeared at the commission’s March 4 meeting to give his opinion on the matter. He said they had actively tried to handle the issue but also claimed that they had remained neutral. The use of biased titles and interviews with people only from one side notwithstanding, there was one anchor who said in the middle of a program that he opposed the revision of the controversial media reform bills and that he had joined the strike. It is hard to regard that as balanced reporting. The broadcast industry is declining and is in fact facing a crisis. MBC needs to realize the error of its ways if it is to survive in today’s harsh reality.

Not long ago, the former president of MBC unveiled a plan that would allow the company to overcome the economic slowdown. It was focused on staff restructuring and was not concerned with restoring the broadcaster’s ability to be fair and remain neutral. But he had overlooked the fact that the crisis at MBC had originated from its inability to be fair, not from the economic situation. This is supported by statistics - the fact that MBC’s ratings, and its balance sheet, are deteriorating faster than those of other network TV stations.

According to the commission, MBC programs have received 127 disciplinary punishments over the past three years, more than other network broadcasters and cable channels. If this persists, MBC will have difficulty getting permission to broadcast, let alone revitalize its business.

MBC needs to apologize for its mistakes and make a concerted effort to restore balance to its programming. That would be a better way to revive the company, rather than cutting employment and restructuring.

[Guest kdramafanusa]

[Preliminary figures only.]

Daily Box Office [Thursday 2009/03/04]

1. Watchmen 왓치맨 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 46,832 / 47,695

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 301,508,000 / 306,569,000

Screen : 317

Share : 34.4%

Director : Zack Snyder

Main Cast : Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson

2. Old Partner 워낭소리 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/01/15

Adm / Total Adm : 28,213 / 2,189,724

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 173,987,200 / 14,302,832,300

Screen : 213

Share : 20.7%

Director : Lee Chung-Ryul

Main Cast : Choi Won-Kyun, Lee Sam-Soon

3. The Scam 작전 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 12,818 / 1,214,476

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 81,209,000 / 7,965,906,500

Screen : 243

Share : 9.4%

Director : Lee Ho-Jae

Main Cast : Park Yong-Ha, Kim Min-Jung, Park Hee-Soon, Kim Moo-Yeol

4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 벤자민 버튼의 시간은 거꾸로 간다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 11,923 / 1,403,816

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 73,107,500 / 9,140,223,500

Screen : 212

Share : 8.8%

Director : David Fincher

Main Cast : Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond

5. He's Just Not That Into You 그는 당신에게 반하지 않았다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 5,103 / 837,979

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 33,283,000 / 5,647,441,000

Screen : 128

Share : 3.7%

Director : Ken Kwapis

Main Cast : Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long

6. Hand Phone 핸드폰 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/19

Adm / Total Adm : 4,810 / 552,750

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 31,322,500 / 3,700,637,500

Screen : 211

Share : 3.5%

Director : Kim Han-Min

Main Cast : Park Yong-Woo, Uhm Tae-Woong, Park Sol-Mi, Lee Se-Na

7. The International 인터내셔널 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

Adm / Total Adm : 3,979 / 189,707

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 25,354,500 / 1,251,454,500

Screen : 178

Share : 2.9%

Director : Tom Tykwer

Main Cast : Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen, Brian O Byrne

8. The Wrestler 더 레슬러 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 3,954 / 5,843

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 25,202,500 / 31,308,500

Screen : 135

Share : 2.9%

Director : Darren Aronofsky

Main Cast : Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Judah Friedlander, Ajay Naidu

9. In Bruges 킬러들의 도시 (Belgium, UK)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 3,531 / 3,531

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 23,031,500 / 23,031,500

Screen : 74

Share : 2.6%

Director : Martin McDonagh

Main Cast : Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy, Jeremie Renier

10. The Unborn 언데드 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

Adm / Total Adm : 3,502 / 156,788

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 22,956,500 / 1,033,306,500

Screen : 151

Share : 2.6%

Director : David S. Goyer

Main Cast : Gary Oldman, Odette Yustman, Cam Gigandet, Jane Alexander, Meagan Good

11. Look For A Star 라스트프로포즈 (Hong Kong)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 2,844 / 3,035

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 17,759,500 / 18,717,500

Screen : 152

Share : 2.1%

Director : Andrew Lau

Main Cast : Andy Lau, Shu Qi, Denise Ho, Lam Ka-Wah, Ella Koon

12. Speed Scandal / Scandal Makers 과속스캔들 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2008/12/04

Adm / Total Adm : 1,692 / 8,201,275

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 10,498,500 / 53,320,587,900

Screen : 60

Share : 1.2%

Director : Kang Hyung-Cheol

Main Cast : Cha Tae-Hyun, Park Bo-Young, Wang Seok-Hyun

13. Frost/Nixon 프로스트 VS 닉슨 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 1,439 / 1,439

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 8,973,000 / 8,973,000

Screen : 69

Share : 1.1%

Director : Ron Howard

Main Cast : Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Toby Jones, Matthew MacFadyen

Source: KOBIS - Figures represent 98% of nationwide box office

[KOFIC - MARCH 6, 2009]

Indie Old Partner exceeds 2 million milestone

Even though its success was initially totally unexpected, it has nowadays become normal to expect records and milestones from Old Partner. Like the tough and loyal old ox and his diehard owner the independent documentary ploughed on despite big budget competition. On the national holiday 1 May, LEE Chung-ryoul’s countryside observation reached the 2 million viewers mark.

The first independent film to top Korean reservation websites and the box office maintained its number one spot for a second week. In addition, LEE won the Best new director award at the prestigious 45th BaekSang Arts Awards ceremony on Friday 27 February.

Old Partner was released on Friday 15 January and according to Korean Film Council’s (KOFIC) data, the film recorded 1,765,023 viewers on 27 February. The documentary garners about 150,000 viewers on a weekend’s day. The feat of 2 million viewers for an independent film was reached in merely 46 days.

Old Partner was initially released on a modest seven screens. The success and attention for the film resulted in a rapid increase of number of screens. LEE’s film played on 220 screens last week and the number was upped to 284 over the weekend.

Old Partner is an observation over years of a headstrong old farmer who is inseparable from his 40-year-old-ox who has served him over 30 years. The regular lifespan of an ox is 15 years. Both are on their last legs. The film was invited by and praised at both Pusan International Film Festival 2008 and Sundance International Film Festival 2009.

The previous record for an independent film was held by Michael Moore’s documentary Fahrenheit 911 with 450,000 viewers. Number three Once managed 220,000 attendees.

Yi Ch’ang-ho (KOFIC)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

DAILY TV RATING - FRIDAY 2009-03-06

TNS

NATIONWIDE RANK / SHOW / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE RATING / SEOUL RATING + RANK {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 34.3%, 35.2%

2. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 16.6%, 16.8%

3. VJ Commando VJ특공대 (KBS2) - 15.8%, 15.8% (#4)

4. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 15.6%, 14.4% (#6)

5. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 15.1%, 14.6%

6. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 15.0%, 16.6% (#3)

7. Real Or Not 있다없다 (SBS) - 12.3%, 12.7%

8. 2009 WBC <Round 1 - Korea:Taiwan> (KBS2) - 12.3%, 12.5% (#10)

9. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 12.0%, 12.6% (#9)

10. Friend Note 절친노트 (SBS) - 11.5%, 12.7% (#8)

11. People Finding Laughter 웃음을찾는사람들 (SBS) - 11.1%, 11.6%

12. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 10.9%, 10.5%

13. Section TV 섹션TV연예통신 (MBC) - 9.9%, 9.9% (#14)

14. Welcome To Comedy 웰컴투코미디 (KBS2) - 9.7%, 10.2% (#13)

15. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - 9.5%, 9.7%

16. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 9.3%, 8.0% (#20)

17. Every Morning 아침마당 (KBS1) - 9.3%, 8.8%

18. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 9.1%, 9.1% (#16)

19. KBS News Square part 2 (KBS1) - 8.9%, % (BT20)

20. 시청자칼럼우리사는세상 (KBS1) - 8.0%, % (BT20)

W (MBC) - % (BT20), 8.2% (#18)

Onlbam / Let Me Stay Over Tonight 오늘밤만재워줘 (MBC) - % (BT20), 8.2% (#19)

*** AGB ***

Nationwide Rank / Show / Network / Nationwide Rating / Seoul Rating + Rank (if different from Nationwide)

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 34.7%, 33.1%

2. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 18.8%, 18.5%

3. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 17.9%, 18.4%

4. KBS 9 News (KBS1) - 16.6%, 15.7%

5. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 14.5%, 15.1%

6. VJ Commando VJ특공대 (KBS2) - 14.2%, 14.4%

7. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 14.0%, 14.1%

8. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - 12.1%, 12.9%

9. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 11.8%, 11.2% (#14)

10. Section TV 섹션TV연예통신 (MBC) - 11.5%, 12.0%

11. KBS Sports Baseball (World Classic - Korea:Taiwan) (KBS2) - 11.4%, 12.2% (#9)

12. Every Morning 아침마당 (KBS1) - 11.2%, 11.6%

12. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 11.2%, 10.8% (#15)

14. Real Or Not 있다없다? (SBS) - 10.9%, 11.4% (#13)

15. Friend Note 절친노트 (SBS) - 10.7%, 11.8% (#11)

16. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 10.0%, % (BT20)

17. 6 Hour (KBS1) - 9.8%, 10.3% (#16)

18. W (MBC) - 9.4%, 9.9% (#17)

19. Love With TV TV는사랑을싣고 (KBS1) - 9.0%, % (BT20)

19. People Finding Laughter 웃음을찾는사람들 (SBS) - 9.0%, 9.3% (#18)

시청자칼럼우리사는세상 (KBS1) - % (BT20), 9.3% (#18)

KBS News Network (KBS1) - % (BT20), 9.2% (#20)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

[Preliminary figures only.]

Daily Box Office [Friday 2009/03/05]

1. Watchmen 왓치맨 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 51,524 / 126,575

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 356,002,000 / 826,103,000

Screen : 326

Share : 27.0%

Director : Zack Snyder

Main Cast : Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson

2. Old Partner 워낭소리 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/01/15

Adm / Total Adm : 37,104 / 2,242,051

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 245,043,500 / 14,640,346,800

Screen : 225

Share : 19.5%

Director : Lee Chung-Ryul

Main Cast : Choi Won-Kyun, Lee Sam-Soon

3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 벤자민 버튼의 시간은 거꾸로 간다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 20,479 / 1,431,329

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 135,951,000 / 9,320,239,500

Screen : 218

Share : 10.7%

Director : David Fincher

Main Cast : Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond

4. The Scam 작전 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 19,165 1,238,729

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 128,347,000 8,126,719,500

Screen : 250

Share : 10.1%

Director : Lee Ho-Jae

Main Cast : Park Yong-Ha, Kim Min-Jung, Park Hee-Soon, Kim Moo-Yeol

5. He's Just Not That Into You 그는 당신에게 반하지 않았다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 9,766 / 850,404

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 69,242,500 / 5,733,595,500

Screen : 131

Share : 5.1%

Director : Ken Kwapis

Main Cast : Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long

6. Hand Phone 핸드폰 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/19

Adm / Total Adm : 8,350 / 564,535

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 57,146,500 / 3,780,573,000

Screen : 212

Share : 4.4%

Director : Kim Han-Min

Main Cast : Park Yong-Woo, Uhm Tae-Woong, Park Sol-Mi, Lee Se-Na

7. The Wrestler 더 레슬러 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 7,875 / 15,679

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 54,138,000 / 97,643,500

Screen : 142

Share : 4.1%

Director : Darren Aronofsky

Main Cast : Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Judah Friedlander, Ajay Naidu

8. The International 인터내셔널 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

Adm / Total Adm : 6,274 / 197,959

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 42,647,000 / 1,306,683,500

Screen : 177

Share : 3.3%

Director : Tom Tykwer

Main Cast : Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen, Brian O Byrne

9. In Bruges 킬러들의 도시 (Belgium, UK)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 5,787 / 11,220

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 39,715,500 / 75,177,000

Screen : 77

Share : 3.0%

Director : Martin McDonagh

Main Cast : Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy, Jeremie Renier

10. The Unborn 언데드 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

Adm / Total Adm : 5,579 / 164,462

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 38,077,500 / 1,085,273,500

Screen : 152

Share : 2.9%

Director : David S. Goyer

Main Cast : Gary Oldman, Odette Yustman, Cam Gigandet, Jane Alexander, Meagan Good

11. Look For A Star 라스트프로포즈 (Hong Kong)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 5,285 / 11,384

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 34,844,500 / 72,161,000

Screen : 151

Share : 2.8%

Director : Andrew Lau

Main Cast : Andy Lau, Shu Qi, Denise Ho, Lam Ka-Wah, Ella Koon

12. Speed Scandal / Scandal Makers 과속스캔들 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2008/12/04

Adm / Total Adm : 2,875 / 8,205,649

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 16,970,500 / 53,343,899,400

Screen : 66

Share : 1.5%

Director : Kang Hyung-Cheol

Main Cast : Cha Tae-Hyun, Park Bo-Young, Wang Seok-Hyun

13. Frost/Nixon 프로스트 VS 닉슨 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 2,348 / 4,471

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 15,837,000 / 29,083,000

Screen : 72

Share : 1.2%

Director : Ron Howard

Main Cast : Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Toby Jones, Matthew MacFadyen

Source: KOBIS - Figures represent 98% of nationwide box office

[Guest kdramafanusa]

DAILY TV RATING [saturday 2009-03-07]

*** TNS Media Korea ***

Nationwide Rank / Show / Network / Nationwide Rating / Seoul Rating + Rank (if different from Nationwide)

1. My Precious You / My Love, My Precious Gem <내사랑금지옥엽> (KBS2) - 25.3%, 25.1%

2. Entertainment Relay 연예가중계 (KBS2) - 19.9%, 20.4%

3. The Iron Empress / Empress Cheon Chu <천추태후> (KBS2) - 18.8%, 19.5%

4. Infinite Challenge 무한도전 (MBC) - 16.7%, 17.8%

5. 2009 WBC <Round 1 - Korea:Japan> part 1 (KBS2) - 15.3%, 15.5%

6. Sponge 2.0 스펀지2.0 (KBS2) - 13.2%, 13.4%

7. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 12.9%, 12.3%

8. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 12.0%, 11.9% (#10)

9. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 11.9%, 11.9%

10. 2009 WBC <Round 1 - Korea:Japan> part 2 (KBS2) - 11.9%, 11.7% (#12)

11. Lotto 645 로또추첨645 (SBS) - 11.5%, 11.9%

12. Shin Dong-Yeop & Shin Bong-Seon's Champagne 신동엽신봉선의샴페인 (KBS2) - 11.5%, 11.5% (#13)

13. Star Junior Show - Like Parent, Like Child 설날특집스타주니어쇼붕어빵 (SBS) - 10.6%, 11.5%

14. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> ( KBS2) - 10.6%, 10.2% (#17)

15. Happy Hero 명랑히어로 (MBC) - 10.4%, 11.4% (#14)

16. All About My Family / The Golden Age Of My Life <내인생의황금기> (MBC) - 10.0%, 10.3%

17. Infinite Challenge Special 무한도전스페셜 (MBC) - 9.5%, 10.0% (#18)

18. Family Outing 패밀리가떴다 (SBS) - 9.2%, 10.5% (#15)

19. ISU World Short Track Championships ISU세계쇼트트랙선수권 (SBS) - 8.9%, 8.9%

20. History Tracking 역사추적 (KBS1) - 8.8%, % (BT20)

MBC News Desk (MBC) - % (BT20), 8.8% (#20)

*** AGB ***

Nationwide Rank / Show / Network / Nationwide Rating / Seoul Rating + Rank (if different from Nationwide)

1. My Precious You / My Love, My Precious Gem <내사랑금지옥엽> (KBS2) - 25.5%, 25.0%

2. The Iron Empress / Empress Cheon Chu <천추태후> (KBS2) - 19.1%, 19.6%

3. Entertainment Relay 연예가중계 (KBS2) - 18.3%, 18.2%

4. Infinite Challenge 무한도전 (MBC) - 16.7%, 17.0%

5. SBS Sports Baseball (World Classic, South Korea:Japan) (SBS) - 15.5%, 16.2%

6. Sponge 2.0 스펀지2.0 (KBS2) - 14.4%, 14.5% (#9)

7. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 14.3%, 15.7% (#6)

8. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 13.6%, 15.1% (#7)

9. Lotto 로또복권추첨 (SBS) - 13.5%, 14.6% (#8)

10. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> ( KBS2) - 13.1%, 13.8%

11. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 11.9%, 13.8% (#10)

12. All About My Family / The Golden Age Of My Life <내인생의황금기> (MBC) - 10.9%, 12.0% (#11)

13. Star Junior Show - Like Parent, Like Child 설날특집스타주니어쇼붕어빵 (SBS) - 10.7%, 11.3% (#14)

14. Shin Dong-Yeop & Shin Bong-Seon's Champagne 신동엽신봉선의샴페인 (KBS2) - 10.5%, 11.4% (#13)

15. Happy Hero 명랑히어로 (MBC) - 9.7%, 10.8%

16. MBC News Desk (MBC) - 9.5%, 10.8% (#15)

16. SBS Sport Tracks (World Championships) (SBS) - 9.5%, 10.5% (#17)

18. 아침마당토요노래자랑 (KBS1) - 9.3%, 9.2% (#19)

19. Morning Wide part 3 모닝와이드3부 (SBS) - 9.1%, 9.1% (#20)

20. Star Golden Bell 스타골든벨 (KBS2) - 9.0%, % (BT20)

Infinite Challenge Special 무한도전스페셜 (MBC) - % (BT20), 9.4% (#18)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

DAILY TV RATING [sunday 2009-03-08]

*** TNS Media Korea ***

Nationwide Rank / Show / Network / Nationwide Rating / Seoul Rating + Rank (if different from Nationwide)

1. My Precious You / My Love, My Precious Gem <내사랑금지옥엽> (KBS2) - 30.4%, 30.1%

2. Good Sunday part 1 일요일이좋다1부 (SBS) - 24.7%, 25.3%

3. Gag Concert 개그콘서트 (KBS2) - 23.2%, 24.6%

4. Love To Anybody <사랑은아무나하나> part 2 (SBS) - 22.2%, 22.0%

5. Love To Anybody<사랑은아무나하나> part 1 (SBS) - 19.8%,20.4%

6. Happy Sunday 해피선데이 (KBS2) - 18.7%, 19.3%

7. The Iron Empress / Empress Cheon Chu <천추태후> (KBS2) - 17.4%, 17.9%

8. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 12.8%, 12.4% (#9)

9. 2009 WBC <Round 1 - Korea:China> part 2 (KBS2) - 11.8%, 12.7% (#8)

10. Good Sunday part 2 일요일이좋다2부 (SBS) - 11.8%, 12.4%

11. 1 Night 2 Days rerun 1박2일(재) (KBS2) - 11.7%, 11.7%

12. Nationwide Song Contest 전국노래자랑 (KBS1) - 11.3%, 10.5% (#13)

13. MBC Special (MBC) - 10.4%, 10.5% (#14)

14. Quiz Korea 퀴즈대한민국 (KBS1) - 10.2%, % (BT20)

15. Real life At Work 체험삶의현장 (KBS1) - 10.2%, % (BT20)

16. Let's Sing Together 도전1000곡한 소절노래방 (SBS) - 10.1%, 10.4% (#15)

17. TV Zoo 동물농장 (SBS) - 9.9%, 10.8% (#12)

18. Boys Over Flower part 2 <꽃보다남자>(재)2부 <rerun> (KBS2) - 9.5%, 10.1% (#16)

19. KBS News 1200 (KBS1) - 9.3%, % (BT20)

20. Happy Time 해피타임 (MBC) - 9.2%, % (BT20)

*** AGB Nielsen Media Research ***

Nationwide Rank / Show / Network / Nationwide Rating / Seoul Rating + Rank (if different from Nationwide)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Daily TV Rating - [Monday 2009-03-09]

*** TNS ***

Nationwide Rank / Show / Network / Nationwide Rating / Seoul Rating + Rank {if different from Nationwide}

1. Boys Over Flower <꽃보다남자> (KBS2) - 35.5%, 35.7% (#2)

2. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 35.2%, 36.9% (#1)

3. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 19.1%, 18.1%

4. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 16.0%, 16.4%

5. KBS 9 News (KBS1) - 13.5%, 13.1%

6. Yoo Jae-Seok Kim Won-Hee's Come To Play 유재석김원희의놀러와 (MBC) - 12.9%, 12.9%

7. MBC News Desk (MBC) - 12.6%, 12.4%

Princess Ja Myung / Jamyeonggo Special <자명고> 스페셜 (SBS) - 5.8% (BT20), % (BT20)

*** AGB Nielsen Media Research ***

Nationwide Rank / Show / Network / Nationwide Rating / Seoul Rating + Rank {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 34.2%, 33.3%

2. Boys Over Flower <꽃보다남자> (KBS2) - 32.9%, 33.3% (#1)

3. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 21.5%, 21.9%

4. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 18.2%, 19.7%

5. KBS 9 News (KBS1) - 14.5%, 14.3% (#6)

6. MBC News Desk (MBC) - 14.0%, 14.7% (#5)

7. Yoo Jae-Seok Kim Won-Hee's Come To Play 유재석김원희의놀러와 (MBC) - 13.2%, 13.5% (#9)

8. MBC Sports Baseball (World Classic - South Korea:Japan) (MBC) - 13.0%, 13.4% (#10)

8. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 13.0%, 13.8% (#7)

10. Global Talk Show / Beauty Talks 미녀들의수다 (KBS2) - 12.9%, 13.8% (#7)

11. TV Law Firm Solomon TV로펌솔로몬 (SBS) - 12.0%, 11.7% (#13)

12. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> ( KBS2) - 11.5%, 12.1%

13. MBC Sports News (MBC) - 11.4%, 13.0% (#11)

14. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 11.2%, 11.6%

15. Every Morning 아침마당 (KBS1) - 10.9%, 10.3% (#19)

16. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 10.5%, 10.4% (#18)

17. Gayo Stage 가요무대 (KBS1) - 10.1%, 10.5%

17. KBS Sports Baseball (World Classic - South Korea:Japan) (KBS2) - 10.1%, 10.8% (#16)

19. 6 Hour (KBS1) - 9.9%, 11.2% (#15)

20. Korean Language Competition 우리말겨루기 (KBS1) - 9.7%, 9.9%

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Daily TV Rating - [Tuesday 2009-03-10]

TNS

Nationwide Rank / Show / Network / Nationwide Rating / Seoul Rating + Rank {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 36.5%, 36.2%

2. Boys Over Flower <꽃보다 남자> episode 19 (KBS2) - 31.2%, 31.3% (#3)

3. East Of Eden <에덴의동쪽> finale (MBC) - 30.1%, 32.7% (#2)

4. East Of Eden <에덴의동쪽> episode 55 (MBC) - 25.8%, 27.3% [same timeslot with KBS2 'Boys Over Flowers']

5. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 18.3%, 16.3% (#6)

6. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 17.7%, 17.5% (#5)

7. KBS 9 News (KBS1) - 16.2%, 15.7%

8. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 14.5%, 15.5%

9. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 12.0%, 12.0%

10. 1 VS 100 1대100 (KBS2) - 11.2%, 11.4%

11. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 10.6%, 10.8% (#12)

12. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 10.6%, 9.9% (#15)

13. MBC Sports News (MBC) - 9.9%, 11.0% (#11)

14. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 9.8%, 8.5% (#19)

15. MBC News Desk (MBC) - 9.8%, 10.2% (#13)

16. KBS News Square part 2 (KBS1) - 9.6%, 8.9%

17. Sang Sang Plus Season 2 상상플러스시즌2 (KBS2) - 9.5%, 10.1% (#14)

18. 시청자칼럼우리사는세상 (KBS1) - 9.2%, 8.5% (#20)

19. 6 Hour (KBS1) - 8.8%, % (BT20)

20. KBS News Network (KBS1) - 8.8%, % (BT20)

Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - % (BT20), 8.6% (#18)

Princess Ja Myung / Jamyeonggo <자명고> (SBS) - 4.1% (BT20), % (BT20)

[The Korea Herald 2009.03.11]

'Boys Over Flowers' explodes in popularity

Popular TV dramas *record their *viewer ratings. And their *re-runs also record their ratings.

On March 1, re-runs of the KBS drama "Boys Over Flowers" were aired on KBS. Two *consecutive episodes - episodes 15 and 16 -were aired.

According to news reports, the episodes 15 and 16 re-runs recorded 9.2 percent and 11.8 percent respectively in viewer ratings. On the same day, other drama re-runs were aired on SBS, KBS, and MBC. But "Boys Over Flowers" was the highest rated re-run drama on that day, scoring an average of over 10 percent.

The SBS drama "Temptation of Wife" (아내의 유혹) which is the highest rated drama in the weekly charts only had a 6.4 percent viewer rating. And two episodes of MBC's "East of Eden" (에덴의 동쪽) which are in direct competition with "Boys Over Flowers" every Monday and Tuesday only scored 5.8 percent and 10.2 percent respectively.

Currently "Boys Over Flowers" has an average viewer rating that falls somewhere in the 30 percent range. The drama is creating a base of *die-hard viewers especially among teenagers and women.

The drama is so popular that the main characters and the plot are being *parodied by other shows and people in the entertainment industry. KBS' *signature comedy show "Gag Concert" recently started a subcategory of the show that parodies the drama and its characters.

By Yoo Bo-lam (bolamyoo@heraldm.com)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

DAILY TV RATING - WEDNESDAY 2009-03-11

TNS

NATIONWIDE RANK / SHOW / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE RATING / SEOUL RATING + RANK {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 34.8%, 35.4%

2. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 17.7%, 16.2% (#4)

3. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 16.6%, 16.8%

4. Cain And Abel <카인과아벨> (SBS) - 16.4%, 17.4% (#2)

5. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 15.7%, 15.0% (#8)

6. Again, My Love / Hateful But Once Again <미워도다시한번2009> (KBS2) - 15.3%, 15.5% (#7)

7. Golden Fishery 황금어장 (MBC) - 14.9%, 15.7% (#5)

8. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 14.3%, 15.6% (#6)

9. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 11.9%, 11.9% (#10)

10. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 11.5%, 10.6% (#12)

11. Entertainment TV 한밤의TV연예 (SBS) - 11.1%, 11.7%

12. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 10.7%, 12.1% (#9)

13. Every Morning 아침마당 (KBS1) - 10.0%, 9.6% (#14)

14. MBC News Desk (MBC) - 9.4%, 10.2% (#13)

15. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 9.2%, 8.3% (#17)

16. 시청자칼럼우리사는세상 (KBS1) - 8.9%, % (BT20)

17. News King 뉴스왕 (KBS2) - 8.9%, 8.8% (#15)

18. Hometown Over The Hill 산너머남촌에는 (KBS1) - 8.8%, 8.1% (#19)

19. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - 8.4%, 8.4% (#16)

20. Iljimae Returns <돌아온일지매> (MBC) - 8.1%, 8.2% (#18)

MBC Sports News (MBC) - % (BT20), 8.1% (#20)

AGB

NATIONWIDE RANK / SHOW / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE RATING / SEOUL RATING + RANK {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 34.1%, 32.6%

2. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 20.1%, 19.7%

3. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 18.3%, 19.5%

4. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 17.6%, 17.8% (#5)

5. Again, My Love / Hateful But Once Again <2009미워도다시한번> (KBS2) - 17.3%, 18.5% (#4)

6. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 14.2%, 14.9%

7. Golden Fishery 황금어장 (MBC) - 13.6%, 14.7%

7. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 13.6%, 14.3%

9. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 13.5%, 13.4% (#10)

9. Cain And Abel <카인과아벨> (SBS) - 13.5%, 14.2%

11. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - 11.6%, 12.4%

12. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 11.4%, 10.0% (#19)

13. Every Morning 아침마당 (KBS1) - 11.2%, 10.7% (#14)

15. MBC News Desk (MBC) - 10.3%, 11.2% (#13)

16. Hometown Over The Hill 산너머남촌에는 (KBS1) - 10.2%, 10.1% (#17)

17. KBS News Square part 2 (KBS1) - 9.9%, 9.9% (#20)

18. Entertainment TV 한밤의TV연예 (SBS) - 9.7%, 10.2% (#16)

19. 6 Hour (KBS1) - 9.5%, % (BT20)

19. News King 뉴스왕 (KBS2) - 9.5%, 10.1% (#17)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

[Preliminary figures only.]

Daily Box Office [Wednesday 2009/03/11]

1. Old Partner 워낭소리 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/01/15

Adm / Total Adm : 24,962 / 2,505,178

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 152,427,000 / 16,359,922,300

Screen : 220

Share : 19.6%

Director : Lee Chung-Ryul

Main Cast : Choi Won-Kyun, Lee Sam-Soon

2. A Sad Story Than Sadness 슬픔보다 더 슬픈 이야기 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/03/11

Adm / Total Adm : 20,715 / 22,331

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 136,728,500 / 145,496,500

Screen : 247

Share : 16.2%

Director : Won Tae-Yeon

Main Cast : Kwon Sang-Woo, Lee Bo-Young, Lee Bum-Soo, Jung Ae-Yeon, Jung Joon-Ho

3. Watchmen 왓치맨 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 19,653 / 384,773

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 128,127,000 / 2,620,178,000

Screen : 314

Share : 15.4%

Director : Zack Snyder

Main Cast : Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson

4. The Scam 작전 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 13,891 / 1,370,086

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 87,276,500 / 9,004,238,500

Screen : 257

Share : 10.9%

Director : Lee Ho-Jae

Main Cast : Park Yong-Ha, Kim Min-Jung, Park Hee-Soon, Kim Moo-Yeol

5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 벤자민 버튼의 시간은 거꾸로 간다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 12,183 / 1,570,421

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 74,470,000 / 10,240,608,000

Screen : 222

Share : 9.6%

Director : David Fincher

Main Cast : Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond

6. He's Just Not That Into You 그는 당신에게 반하지 않았다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 5,414 / 904,063

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 35,193,500 / 6,111,435,000

Screen : 123

Share : 4.2%

Director : Ken Kwapis

Main Cast : Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long

7. Hand Phone 핸드폰 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/19

Adm / Total Adm : 5,133 / 615,460

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 32,865,000 / 4,128,156,000

Screen : 200

Share : 4.0%

Director : Kim Han-Min

Main Cast : Park Yong-Woo, Uhm Tae-Woong, Park Sol-Mi, Lee Se-Na

8. The International 인터내셔널 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/26

Adm / Total Adm : 3,490 / 231,466

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 22,414,000 / 1,536,881,000

Screen : 168

Share : 2.7%

Director : Tom Tykwer

Main Cast : Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen, Brian O Byrne

9. Speed Scandal / Scandal Makers 과속스캔들 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2008/12/04

Adm / Total Adm : 3,392 / 8,229,756

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 19,236,000 / 53,490,858,400

Screen : 67

Share : 2.7%

Director : Kang Hyung-Cheol

Main Cast : Cha Tae-Hyun, Park Bo-Young, Wang Seok-Hyun

10. In Bruges 킬러들의 도시 (Belgium, UK)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 3,058 / 41,664

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 19,573,500 / 285,996,500

Screen : 79

Share : 2.4%

Director : Martin McDonagh

Main Cast : Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Clemence Poesy, Jeremie Renier

Source: KOBIS - Figures represent 98% of nationwide box office

[cine21]

EDIT: Thanks for the correction Autumn_sangwoofc.

[Guest conduongmuathu]

2. A Sad Story Than Sadness 슬픔보다 더 슬픈 이야기 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/03/11

Adm / Total Adm : 20,715 / 22,331

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 136,728,500 / 145,496,500

Screen : 247

Share : 16.2%

Director : Won Tae-Yeon

Main Cast : Kwon Sang-Woo, Park Bo-Young, Lee Bum-Soo, Jung Ae-Yeon, Jung Joon-Ho

Thanks for sharing, but Lee Bo Young, not Park Bo Young

[Guest kdramafanusa]

DAILY TV RATING - THURSDAY 2009-03-12

TNS

NATIONWIDE RANK / SHOW / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE RATING / SEOUL RATING + RANK {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 37.8%, 39.0%

2. Again, My Love / Hateful But Once Again <2009 미워도다시한번> (KBS2) - 17.0%, 16.8% (#6)

3. What An Amazing World 순간포착세상에이런일이 (SBS) - 16.7%, 16.5% (#7)

4. Happy Together 해피투게더 (KBS2) - 16.7%, 18.1% (#2)

5. Cain And Abel <카인과아벨> (SBS) - 16.6%, 16.9%

6. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 16.5%, 15.0% (#8)

7. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 16.5%, 17.1% (#3)

8. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 15.4%, 17.1% (#4)

9. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 14.8%, 14.8%

10. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 13.5%, 12.2% (#11)

11. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 12.7%, 12.3% (#10)

12. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 10.3%, 11.2%

13. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 9.6%, % (BT20)

14. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - 9.5%, 9.4% (#13)

15. 시청자칼럼우리사는세상 (KBS1) - 9.4%, 8.9% (#15)

16. 6 Hour (KBS1) - 9.2%, 8.6% (#17)

17. KBS News Square part 2 (KBS1) - 8.6%, % (BT20)

18. Every Morning 아침마당 (KBS1) - 8.6%, 8.4% (#20)

19. Song Battle 대결노래가좋다 (KBS2) - 8.5%, 8.6% (#16)

20. Dissatisfaction Zero 불만제로 (MBC) - 8.4%, 8.9% (#14)

SBS Sports News (SBS) - % (BT20), 8.5% (#18)

Morning Show 'This Morning' 생방송오늘아침 (MBC) - % (BT20), 8.5% (#19)

AGB

NATIONWIDE RANK / SHOW / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE RATING / SEOUL RATING + RANK {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 35.1%, 33.2%

2. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 20.1%, 20.0%

3. Again, My Love / Hateful But Once Again <2009 미워도다시한번> (KBS2) - 18.7%, 20.0% (#2)

4. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 17.7%, 18.4%

5. Happy Together 해피투게더 (KBS2) - 16.9%, 18.4% (#4)

6. What An Amazing World 순간포착 (SBS) - 16.6%, 16.3%

7. KBS 9 News (KBS1) - 15.6%, 15.3% (#9)

8. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 15.1%, 16.3% (#6)

9. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 14.4%, 15.7% (#8)

10. Cain And Abel <카인과아벨> (SBS) - 14.1%, 14.6%

11. SBS 8 News (KBS1) - 14.0%, 13.8%

12. Splendor Of Youth / Glory Of Youth <청춘예찬> (KBS1) - 11.5%, 10.0% (#18)

13. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - 11.4%, 11.1% (#14)

14. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 11.3%, 11.7% (#12)

15. 6 Hour (KBS1) - 10.1%, 11.3% (#13)

16. KBS News Network (KBS1) - 9.9%, 9.8% (#20)

16. MBC News Desk (MBC) - 9.9%, 10.7% (#15)

18. Secret Of Life 생로병사의비밀 (KBS1) - 9.8%, 10.2% (#17)

19. 시청자칼럼우리사는세상 (KBS1) - 9.7%, 9.9%

19. Every Morning 아침마당 (KBS1) - 9.7%, % (BT20)

Moon River / The Return Of Iljimae <돌아온일지매> (MBC) - % (BT20), 10.3% (#16)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

[Preliminary figures only.]

Daily Box Office [Thursday 2009/03/12]

1. A Sad Story Than Sadness 슬픔보다 더 슬픈 이야기 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/03/11

Adm / Total Adm : 37,768 / 60,099

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 211,614,500 / 357,111,000

Screen : 324

Share : 24.2%

Director : Won Tae-Yeon

Main Cast : Kwon Sang-Woo, Lee Bo-Young, Lee Bum-Soo, Jung Ae-Yeon, Jung Joon-Ho

2. Dragonball Evolution 드래곤볼 에볼루션 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/03/12

Adm / Total Adm : 23,296 / 25,475

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 148,626,000 / 157,720,000

Screen : 251

Share : 14.9%

Director : James Wong

Producer : Stephen Chow

Main Cast : Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Jamie Chung, Emmy Rossum, Chow Yun-Fat

3. Old Partner 워낭소리 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/01/15

Adm / Total Adm : 22,084 / 2,527,262

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 131,437,500 / 16,491,359,800

Screen : 192

Share : 14.2%

Director : Lee Chung-Ryul

Main Cast : Choi Won-Kyun, Lee Sam-Soon

4. The Accidental Husband 뉴욕은 언제나 사랑 중 (UK)

Opening Date : 2009/03/12

Adm / Total Adm : 15,840 / 15,990

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 97,551,000 / 98,451,000

Screen : 201

Share : 10.2%

Director : Griffin Dunne

Main Cast : Uma Thurman, Colin Firth, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Sam Shepard, Isabella Rossellini

5. Watchmen 왓치맨 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/03/05

Adm / Total Adm : 14,159 / 398,930

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 92,094,000 / 2,712,258,000

Screen : 253

Share : 9.1%

Director : Zack Snyder

Main Cast : Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson

6. Friday The 13th 13일의 금요일 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/03/13

Adm / Total Adm : 11,154 / 11,525

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 73,781,500 / 75,881,500

Screen : 121

Share : 7.2%

Director : Marcus Nispel

Main Cast : Julianna Guill, America Olivo, Jared Padalecki, Amanda Righetti, Danielle Panabaker

7. The Scam 작전 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 9,469 / 1,379,555

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 60,046,500 / 9,064,285,000

Screen : 236

Share : 6.1%

Director : Lee Ho-Jae

Main Cast : Park Yong-Ha, Kim Min-Jung, Park Hee-Soon, Kim Moo-Yeol

8. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 벤자민 버튼의 시간은 거꾸로 간다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 9,125 / 1,579,546

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 55,534,500 / 10,296,142,500

Screen : 212

Share : 5.9%

Director : David Fincher

Main Cast : Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond

9. He's Just Not That Into You 그는 당신에게 반하지 않았다 (US)

Opening Date : 2009/02/12

Adm / Total Adm : 2,468 / 906,531

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 15,918,000 / 6,127,353,000

Screen : 61

Share : 1.6%

Director : Ken Kwapis

Main Cast : Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long

10. Speed Scandal / Scandal Makers 과속스캔들 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2008/12/04

Adm / Total Adm : 1,888 / 8,231,644

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 11,230,500 / 53,502,088,900

Screen : 41

Share : 1.2%

Director : Kang Hyung-Cheol

Main Cast : Cha Tae-Hyun, Park Bo-Young, Wang Seok-Hyun

12. Hand Phone 핸드폰 (South Korea)

Opening Date : 2009/02/19

Adm / Total Adm : 1,098 / 616,558

Gross / Total Gross (won) : 6,906,000 / 4,135,062,000

Screen : 62

Share : 0.7%

Director : Kim Han-Min

Main Cast : Park Yong-Woo, Uhm Tae-Woong, Park Sol-Mi, Lee Se-Na

Source: KOBIS - Figures represent 98% of nationwide box office

[Guest kdramafanusa]

DAILY TV RATING - FRIDAY 2009-03-13

TNS

NATIONWIDE RANK / SHOW / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE RATING / SEOUL RATING + RANK {if different from Nationwide}

1. Cruel Temptation / Lure Of Wife <아내의유혹> (SBS) - 35.9%, 35.1%

2. The Road Home <집으로가는길> (KBS1) - 17.2%, 15.3% (#5)

3. VJ Commando VJ특공대 (KBS2) - 17.1%, 17.3% (#2)

4. White Lie <하얀거짓말> (MBC) - 16.1%, 16.5% (#3)

5. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 14.9%, 13.9% (#7)

6. Don't Cry My Love / I Love You, Don't Cry <사랑해울지마> (MBC) - 14.8%, 16.0% (#4)

7. The Clinic For Married Couples: Love And War 부부클리닉사랑과전쟁 (KBS2) - 13.7%, 14.1% (#6)

8. Innocent You / Purity <순결한당신> (SBS) - 13.1%, 12.8%

9. Friend Note 절친노트 (SBS) - 11.9%, 12.7%

10. Section TV 섹션TV연예통신 (MBC) - 11.7%, 12.1%

11. Real Or Not 있다없다 (SBS) - 10.9%, 10.9%

12. SBS 8 News (SBS) - 10.5%, 10.5%

13. Wife And Woman <아내와여자> (KBS2) - 10.4%, 10.5%

14. Every Morning 아침마당 (KBS1) - 10.3%, % (BT20)

15. 시청자칼럼우리사는세상 (KBS1) - 10.2%, 10.1%

16. Vitamin 비타민 (KBS2) - 9.8%, 10.0%

17. Tae-Hee Hye-Kyo Ji-Hyun <태희혜교지현이> (MBC) - 9.7%, 9.8% (#18)

18. Nam Hee-Seok & Choi Won-Jung's Yuhyoomanman 남희석최원정의여유만만 (KBS2) - 9.7%, 10.1% (#14)

19. 6 Hour (KBS1) - 9.6%, % (BT20)

20. People Finding Laughter 웃음을찾는사람들 (SBS) - 9.5%, 9.8% (#17)

Onlbam / Let Me Stay Over Tonight 오늘밤만재워줘 (MBC) - % (BT20), 9.8% (#19)

MBC News Desk (MBC) - % (BT20), 9.7% (#20)