[News] Drama, Movies, Actors & Actresses

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2010.01.19

Na Hong-jin pic "Murderer" signs investment deal with Fox

"Murderer" director Na Hong-jin

Korean film "The Murderer" has signed on major Hollywood studio 20th Century Fox as one of its co-investors, according to the film's distributor Showbox Mediaplex Co. on Tuesday.

Showbox announced in a press release that the Na Hong-jin-helmed pic -- which already has Korean entertainment agency Wellmade Star M as its main investor -- will receive additional funding from Fox, making "Murderer" the first Korean movie to receive direct investment from the Hollywood studio.

The new business partnership, Showbox explained, will further expand into diverse business opportunities. Fox -- which is owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation -- will reportedly take part in producing sequels and remakes of the film. In case of a Hollywood remake, Na will be contractually guaranteed to direct the film with original Korean producer Popcorn Films on board as well.

Showbox expects to see more profits from its domestic and overseas alliance with Fox by sharing their marketing and distribution channels. It is also reported to be convincing the studio to become a co-investor and co-distributor in not only Korean films produced in Korea but in international projects targeted at the Asian movie market.

"Murderer" is a thriller pic about a killer, played by Ha Jung-woo, who comes to Korea to settle a debt but ends up getting chased by Kim Yun-seok who will take on the role of another professional assassin. The two actors and director Na will be collaborating for the second time after first working together in the hit 2008 flick "The Chaser".

Filmmaker Na gained instant fame and acclaim through his directorial debut "Chaser", which topped the Korean box office for three consecutive weeks and became the second most-watched film of the year.

"Murderer" is scheduled for release in the second half of 2010.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

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2010-01-20

Kim Seung-woo Hosts KBS's New Talk Show

Actress Kim Nam-joo will appear as the first guest on the premiere of her husband's first talk show on KBS 2TV.

The talk show, the successor to ”Roundtable Plus” and entitled “Seungseungganggu” (which means “continuing to thrive” in Korean), will begin airing on February 2, 2010 at 11:05 P.M. according to a statement made by KBS on January 18th.

During the first show of “Seungseungganggu,” actor Kim Seung-woo will interview his wife Kim Nam-Joo, who starred in the drama "My Wife is a Superwoman," as his first guest.

According to KBS, this show will be the first in which a host invites his wife to his own talk show as a guest. However, they said the pair will meet and share conversation based on their relationship as host and guest--not their personal relationship.

“Seungseungganggu” will consist of two parts: one is the celebrities’ interviews, and the other is "A Very Special Promise-Let's Meet," which is a type of project aimed at keeping promises made between the host and viewers.

During "A Very Special Promise-Let's Meet" segment, the host and selected fans will carry out their respective promises. First, the host will announce the place, the date and time, and the promise. The viewers can also respond with their own promises or comments about the host's promise. Fans who are picked based on their comments can participate in the show at the chosen place and time.

Kim Seung-woo said, "As a rookie host, I will do my best to make the show bring out deep and honest conversation from the guest celebrities."

Source : KBS GLOBAL

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2010.01.20

Lee Na-young turns man on the set of "High Kick 2"

Actress Lee Na-young on the set of "High Kick Through The Roof" [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

"Ahhh- haaandsome-" Director Kim Young-ki, who had been keeping a chic silence all along, blurts out in near-exclamation. The "beautiful" actress Lee Na-young was described as "handsome" in her portrayal of Lee Na-bong during her cameo appearance in MBC sitcom "High Kick 2". But this fatally attractive handsome character also managed to melt the heart of 'ice prince' Lee Ji-hoon (played by Choi Daniel). It was truly incredible to watch Choi Daniel, who had always portrayed the image of a chic city guy, return to his actual age and behave as charming as a younger brother.

"At first, I was really scared to join this staff who has been working together, wearing a mustache." It was not an easy challenge for Lee Na-young, even if she had already played a woman pretending to be a man in her film "Lady Daddy". "I had been a fan of 'High Kick 2'," said the actress who is similar to the show itself in that they both dislike cheesy set-ups. She asks, "Director, do my eyes look like they're too focused?" As soon as the director orders, "Yeah, I think it would better if you looked more drunk," Lee Na-young clasps her two hands together, as if in prayer and focuses on her emotions. When Lee acts out a drinking scene in the next shot, Lee screams out, "Yikes, this is real soju!" as soon as the director yells 'Cut!'

The revenge of Lee Na-young, or Lee Na-bong, continues with slapping the back of Ji-hoon's head. When Lee asks, "I have really mean hands, is it okay to hit your head like this?" Choi Daniel answers "It's all right, it's not like you're slapping my face," but there is the look of pain in his eyes. As the scene gets shot several times, Choi Daniel utters in pain. "Is there a revenge scene for this? A revenge scene? When she makes another cameo appearance, please write up a scene where I hit her!" Everyone, including Choi Daniel, would like to see this man, or woman, again but that would be hard. Lee Na-bong disappeared after making a single, powerful cameo appearance.

Actress Lee Na-young [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

Editor in Chief : Beck Una one@10asia.co.kr

Photographer : Lee Jin-hyuk eleven@10asia.co.kr

Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr, Jang Kyung-Jin three@10asia.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

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2010.01.20

Kang Ji-hwan's rep takes legal action against former agency

Actor Kang Ji-hwan [Asia Economic Daily]

Actor Kang Ji-hwan's new agency has pressed charges against Kang's former agency Jambo Entertainment which last week accused the actor of breaching his contract valid for several more months.

S Plus Entertainment had announced two weeks ago that they signed with the 32-year-old actor. Jambo stepped forward, however, claiming that Kang had violated his exclusive contract with them intact till August and hinted at taking legal action.

"Authorities will reveal the truth -- we have filed a civil suit against Jambo to have the wrongdoing regarding the current case determined and have also pressed charges against their CEO," an official at S Plus stated on Tuesday.

The official also admitted that Kang had eight months left on his previous contract but declared that legitimate measures were taken to terminate the actor's affiliation to Jambo. "We made repeated attempts to reach an agreement regarding the unfair terms stated on Kang's former contract but received no response. We signed with Kang after taking the appropriate steps and after his contract became nullified," the official explained.

He also added that of the six years that Kang was with Jambo, he was without a contract for three years.

Kang debuted in 2001 in the Korean version of the musical "The Rocky Horror Show," later gaining popularity through notable television dramas, such as "Be Strong, Geum-soon!"(2005), "Scandal in Old Seoul"(2007) and "Hong Gil-dong, The Hero"(2008).

He has also starred in several movies including "Movie is a Movie", "Speedy Scandal" and most recently in "My Girlfriend Is An Agent", a comedy action film co-starring Hallyu star Kim Ha-neul.

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok kave@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

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2010.01.20

Lee Byung-hun's verdict hearing set for February

Hallyu star Lee Byung-hun [Asia Economic Daily]

The verdict hearing for Hallyu star Lee Byung-hun and his ex-girlfriend is set to take place on February 18 at the Seoul Central District Court, although neither party is likely to attend the hearing as it will be a civil trial.

On December 8, a Korean-Canadian woman, identified by the last name Kwon had filed a lawsuit against the actor for allegedly alluring her into a sexual relationship on false promises of marriage. She asked to be paid KRW 100 million won in physical and psychological damages and also accused the actor of taking part in heavy gambling overseas.

Lee had taken counter legal action against Kwon as well, suing for libel, and posted a hand-written message on his official website about the incident.

The scandal further escalated when another Korean celebrity showed up at the set of "Iris" -- which Lee was starring in at the time -- over talk that Chung Tae-won, CEO of Taewon Entertainment and producer of the hit TV series, had spread false rumor that he was behind the feud between Lee and Kwon.

Kwon, who reportedly returned to her hometown in Canada toward the end of last year, is unable to be reached. According to some sources, however, Kwon has agreed to cooperate with the police investigation via email and the hearing will be held without her physical attendance.

Lee, 39, is one of South Korea's most successful actors who has appeared in numerous television dramas and films. He made his Hollywood debut last year in the action flick "G.I. Joe" and starred in Korea's major blockbuster drama "IRIS" for which he won the grand prize at the 2009 KBS Acting Awards.

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok kave@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

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01-20-2010

Court Declares MBC Not Guilty on Mad Cow Report in 2008

The battle between liberal judges versus conservative prosecutors ― a snapshot of a serious ideological divide facing the nation ― is reaching boiling point following the latest judicial ruling clearing a television news team of false reporting on mad cow disease.

A Seoul court cleared MBC TV's investigative journal ``PD Notebook'' on defamation charges, Wednesday, for allegedly wrongly portraying the actions of the Lee Myung-bak government during its talks with Washington to resume U.S. beef imports in 2008.

Cheong Wa Dae refused to comment on the verdict in an apparent show of extreme displeasure.

The ruling came just days after another court acquitted a progressive legislator on charges of violent behavior at the National Assembly, touching off the ideological dispute between the two pillars of the courtroom ― judges and prosecutors.

The feud deepened after an additional court ruling, Tuesday, found a group of ``progressive'' teachers not guilty of engaging in collective action denouncing conservative President Lee last year. Participation in political rallies by teachers is prohibited under current laws.

Conservative-progressive tensions reached a peak Wednesday after the Seoul Central District Court exonerated five MBC staff members ― four program directors and a script writer, who were indicted for defaming government officials in two episodes of PD Notebook that were critical of the Lee administration's decision to resume importing U.S. beef.

In April 2008, the episodes were allegedly based on scientific research that Koreans were genetically susceptible to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease ― the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease.

The program criticized then Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun and Min Dong-seok, one of the chief negotiators in the beef import deal, for ``ignoring'' the risk of mad cow disease associated with U.S. beef in order to rekindle warmer Korea-U.S. diplomatic ties, which had remained chilly during the 2003-2008 presidency of the liberal Roh Moo-hyun.

The program provoked countless health-conscious citizens to take to major thoroughfares across the country and stage rallies for about three months, forcing President Lee to renegotiate the deal, to make an official apology and to reshuffle the Cabinet to contain his nose-diving approval ratings.

The two state negotiators filed a suit against the five MBC workers, arguing the accused defamed them by distorting the facts, deliberately mistranslating interviews with several Americans and exaggerating the threat of mad cow disease associated with American beef.

``Although there were some exaggerations or errors in translation, it is hard to say they deliberately distorted the facts related to the threat of the disease,'' Judge Mun Sung-gwan said in his ruling.

``As the program criticized the resumption of imports of U.S. beef, based on expert opinion and research results, it cannot be considered to have caused harm to the reputation of the officials.''

The prosecution said that the ruling didn't make sense, adding that it plans to appeal.

``The court's decision is sort of a self-contradiction,'' said a prosecutor familiar with the case. In fact, a court ordered MBC to air a correction over the two episodes in June 2008, saying part of the story had been confirmed to be exaggerated.

MBC admitted errors in translation and formally apologized for airing incorrect information.

The protest against the resumption of U.S. beef imports was initiated by health-conscious citizens, but later transformed into a battlefield for those harboring antagonism toward the conservative President Lee.

Liberal news outlets, which enjoyed their heyday during the Roh Moo-hyun presidency, supported MBC, praising the nation's second largest TV station as a crusader for the pro-democracy, anti-government movement, while conservative media condemned MBC for misleading the public.

The ruling Grand National Party immediately condemned the verdict, saying, ``The decision goes against common sense, dealing yet another blow to the judiciary.''

Credits : Park Si-soo, Staff Reporter (pss@koreatimes.co.kr)

Source : The Korea Times

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2010.01.21

TV producers cleared of beef report charges

A lower court yesterday cleared TV producers of defaming officials with false reports on the health risks of U.S. beef that triggered two-month antigovernment protests in mid-2008.

The ruling on five MBC staff members added fuel to an escalating political dispute engulfing the judiciary following a series of recent lenient rulings on dissidents.

Angry prosecutors vowed to appeal immediately and conservative politicians and activists slammed the court for its "unreasonable and unfair decision."

The prosecutors indicted the producers, acting on defamation suits by the former agriculture minister and the chief negotiator over U.S. beef import. They accused the MBC documentary makers of damaging their reputation by intentionally distorting facts.

In its ruling, however, the court said, "The contents of the program were within the boundaries of freedom of press."

"The producers had enough reason to have suspicion about the safety of the U.S. beef, based on given circumstances.".

He said the program acted appropriately in raising the issue involving public health and safety.

"Though some misinterpretation or exaggeration may have occurred in the process, the overall contents cannot be seen as intentional distortions or exaggerations," ruled the court.

"PD Notepad," a well-known MBC documentary program, aired special reports in April-May 2008 on the dangers of mad cow disease of U.S. beef following President Lee Myung-bak's decision to resume importation.

It aired video footage of downer cows and said that such cows were likely to be infected with mad cow disease. The program also triggered public fears by claiming that Koreans were genetically vulnerable to the disease.

Also, when describing the case of Aretha Vinson, a woman who died of CJD (Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease), the program misinterpreted the term CJD as vCJD (human form of mad cow disease).

Over the following months, the nation was gripped with massive protests blasting the Lee administration for pushing the U.S. beef import.

Prosecutors indicted last June four producers and a writer of the program for obstructing public duties and for defamation. Prison sentences were demanded on all five members of the indicted staff.

"The program caused national chaos by intentionally exaggerating and fabricating unverified facts about the disease," said the prosecutor in the final hearing last month.

Upon the court's acquittal, the prosecution immediately decided to appeal.

"The court's logics are incomprehensible and we will fight to the end to set things right," said a prosecutorial official yesterday following the ruling.

"The prosecution has taken much consideration into this case, which shook the entire nation for months and has suggested sufficient evidence to prove the program guilty of its charges."

The court earlier admitted, in the related civil lawsuits, that the contents of the program were partially false and thus ordered a correction, the prosecution also pointed out.

"Even granting that this case, being a criminal suit, may have different conclusion, we still cannot accept the court's decision to acquit the program of all charges," said the prosecutor.

Responses to the ruling varied.

"Prosecutors went too far on the case and the court's ruling proves it," said an official of the liberal People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy.

"The prosecution should take responsibilities for the indictment."

Conservative civic groups, including the New Right Union, however, raised their voices to blame the court for its leniency.

"Though the court's judicial independence should be respected, the court has lost the public trust by handing down such insensible ruling over a case which clearly disrupted the social order," said an official.

Credits : Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldm.com)

Source : The Korea Herald

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2010.01.20

Lee Byung-hun to star in online movie "Influence"

Actor Lee Byung-hun [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

Hallyu star Lee Byung-hun is set to star in an online mystery film titled "The Influence", according to a press release by the film's producer Realize Pictures on Wednesday.

Lee, 39, will play one of the main characters who has to make a choice on his path to fulfilling a promise made many years ago in the film set for release online in early March.

Lee Jae-kyu, who has created several hit TV series including "Damo" and "Beethoven Virus," will be making his directorial debut with "Influence." He will team with screenwriter Hong Jin-ah of "Beethoven" again for the three-part movie based on a time period covering 1907 to 2010.

Lee Byung-hun is considered one of Korea's top actors who has starred in numerous Korean dramas and films, including the recent blockbuster TV series "Iris" for which he won the award for best actor at the 2009 KBS Acting Awards.

He also debuted in Hollywood last year with a supporting role in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" alongside Channing Tatum and Sienna Miller and starred in action thriller "I Come with the Rain" alongside Josh Hartnett and Takuya Kimura.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

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2010.01.21

Lee Byung-hun to star in internet series

Lee, alongside co-stars Han Chae-young and Kim Tae-woo, will team up with veteran director Lee Jae-kyu for the upcoming film.

Lee Jae-kyu has previously helmed the popular television series "Da Mo," and "Beethoven Virus."

The series will be split into three 60-minute segments that will jump forwards and backwards in time over the span of 100 years from 1907 to 2007. Not much is known about the plot but according to the film's production company, the films will focus on themes which deal with the difficut choices people who are at a crossroads make in life and about characters trying to fulfill promises.

The film will be penned by "Beethoven Virus" scribe Hong Jin-aah and will premiere online early March.

Byung-hun is set to star in a series of internet shorts titled "Influence," according to REALies Pictures yesterday.

Source : The Korea Herald

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2010.01.20

Jo Kwon becomes newest member of "Family" season 2

Boy band 2AM member Jo Kwon [Asia Economic Daily]

Boy band 2AM member Jo Kwon has decided to join the new cast of SBS variety show "Family Outing," becoming the latest in a string of celebrities who have agreed to appear in a revamped season of the program.

A source close to Kwon said, "We have talked with the producers of the show and he has been set to appear as a regular in the second season."

Jo Kwon joins other newly-recruited members of "Family" season 2 including TV personality Kim Won-hee, actor Yoon Sang-hyun, comedian Ji Sang-ryul, comedienne Shin Bong-sun, boy band 2PM member Taecyeon and female idol group Girls' Generation member Yoona.

The entire original cast from the first season -- including main hosts Yoo Jae-seok and singer Lee Hyori -- wrapped up shooting of the final episode last week.

Jo Kwon, leader of his four-member boy band, has been extending his popularity through various variety programs with his witty sense of humor and dancing skills. He also appears as Brown Eyed Girls member Ga-in's make-believe husband in MBC reality show "We Got Married."

The first episode of the new season of "Family" is set to go into shoot at the end of this month.

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr, Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

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2010.01.20

Gang Dong-won, Song Hye-kyo start filming "Love"

Korean actor Gang Dong-won [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

Top Korean actors Gang Dong-won and Song Hye-kyo have started shooting their feature segment for the Asian omnibus pic "Camellia", according to the film's producer BAL CON on Wednesday.

The two actors started filming "Love For Sale" on Friday, playing former lovers who forget their memories about each which later leads them to a fatal destiny.

"Camellia" is an omnibus pic made up of three feature films directed by three Asian directors. Each episode will be set in the past, present and future of the city of Busan, Korea.

The first feature "Iron lion king", which tells the story of Busan during the 1970s, will be directed by Thailand's Wisit Sasanatieng and star Korean actor Kim Min-jun and Thai-American actor Michael Shaowanasai.

Korean actor Sul Kyung-gu and Japan's Yositaka Yuriko will appear in the second segment, "Kamome", which is set in modern day Korea. It will be directed by Japanese filmmaker Yukisada Isao.

Set in the near future, "Love for Sale" is the final episode which will be helmed by Korean director Jang Joon-hwan. Jang won rave reviews for his directorial debut "Save the Green Planet!" in 2003.

Gang has been considered one of Korea's top heartthrobs since his appearance in the 2004 film "Romance of their Own". He most recently starred in comic fantasy flick "WOOCHI", which set a record for attracting the most number of viewers on its opening day and has been ranked at No.2 behind "Avatar" for four consecutive weeks. Gang has another movie coming out next month, titled "Sworn Brothers".

Actress Song Hye-kyo shot to fame in 2000 after starring in KBS TV series "Autumn Fairy Tale" alongside Hallyu stars Won Bin and Song Seung-hun. She garnered increasing popularity throughout Asia with her subsequent roles in hit dramas such as "All In" (SBS, 2003) and "Full House" (KBS, 2004).

Korean actress Song Hye-kyo [Lee Won-woo/10Asia]

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

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January 21, 2010

Bonds of brotherhood, on and off screen

Two critically-acclaimed Korean actors are appearing together in an upcoming movie that touches on the inter-Korean issue.

Song Kang-ho of "Thirst" which was recognized at Cannes last year, and Gang Dong-won of the Korean action flick "Jeon Woo Chi: The Taoist Wizard," play South and North Korean agents in the new movie "Secret Reunion."

The film, by director Jang Hun, whose debut feature was "Rough Cut" (2008), tells the story of two men who reunite six years after their first encounter, which involved a gunfight between the two Koreas.

Lee Han-kyu (Song Gang-ho), a National Intelligence Service agent from the South, was discharged after the inter-Korean incident. Six years later, he accidentally runs into Song Ji-won (Gang Dong-won), an agent from the North, who was also dismissed and then abandoned by his government after the incident. The two discover they have more in common than just their dismissal and the plot follows them as their relationship changes and they go from enemies to friends.

There have been many Korean movies and dramas about the NIS and secret agents. In the most recent version of this plot line, Lee Byung-hun plays a National Intelligence Service agent in the hit KBS-2 drama "Iris."

So what makes Secret Reunion different from the rest?

"The film doesn't actually deal much with secret agents and their lives. In fact, the characters' positions as secret agents serve more as a device to develop the story," Song said in a press event held earlier this month.

Jang also made it clear: "Secret Reunion revolves around South-North relations, but it takes a brighter attitude toward the subject than you might think. I hope that audiences will enjoy this movie, which reveals a lesser-known side of our society through characters that are interesting."

Some may also wonder what enticed actors like Song and Gang to become involved in a film by Jang, who is relatively new to directing.

Song had a well-considered answer.

"I admired Jang's ability to make a movie that was as good as 'Rough Cut' with such a relatively low budget," Song said. "Jang has the ability to express what he wants to say, even though he is a new director.

"I'll let the audience have the final say on whether the movie is first rate, but personally, I think Secret Reunion is a heartwarming and enjoyable movie," he added.

When the two actors - who said that they built a bond of brotherhood while they were shooting the movie - were asked their opinions of one another, Song said, "Gang is known for his good looks, but he is a guy who has more than that. I like his sense of humor and his confidence in himself as an actor."

"I'm in awe of Song's instincts as an actor and his accuracy," Gang said.

Secret Reunion will hit local theaters on Feb. 4.

Director Jang Hun, actors Song Kang-ho and Gang Dong-won, from left, speak about their new film "Secret Reunion" at a press event in central Seoul on Jan. 5. Provided by Showbox

Credits : Park Sun-young [spark0320@joongang.co.kr]

Source : JoongAng Daily

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January 21, 2010

Talk of the town

Jang Dong-gun to film Africa doc

Actor Jang Dong-gun will appear in a TV documentary about poverty in Africa.

Jang has been the goodwill ambassador for the United Nations World Food Program since December 2008. The film aims to raise awareness about the issue in Korea.

“Jang has long had an interest in eradicating poverty in Africa,” a source close to Jang said. “He will leave in March and is scheduled to stay for about a month.”

Credits : Hannah Kim Contributing writer

Source : JoongAng Daily

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January 21, 2010

Talk of the town

Police arrest Kang for assault

The latest incident involving Kang Byung-kyu, 37, a baseball pitcher-turned-TV entertainer, and Chung Tae-won, the executive producer of KBS-2's hit action-drama "Iris," took another turn on Tuesday when the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced Kang had been booked without detention on assault charges.

The same day, police also released their analysis of a video of a fight between the two last month.

The incident is related to a feud between Iris star Lee Byung-hun and his ex-girlfriend Kwon Mi-yeon, a former Canadian gymnast. Kang was rumored to have urged Kwon to file a lawsuit against Lee.

The police said that the video footage, captured last month by CCTV cameras on the set, shows Chung and an associate holding baseball bats over Kang, who is later seen dragging the associate out of the shot.

Kang says he visited the Iris set on Dec. 14 to talk to Chung about the rumors, which Kang has accused Chung of starting.

While Chung alleges that Kang brought "gangsters" to the set and was violent, Kang maintains that the people who accompanied him were his friends and that he is the victim, not the perpetrator, in the incident.

Police said Kang's involvement would be clarified in court.

Source : JoongAng Daily

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2020-01-21

Cha In-Pyo, Shin Ae-ra Donate 100 Million Won to Haiti

Korean celebrities Cha In-Pyo and Shin Ae-ra made a donation of 100 million won to victims of the Haiti earthquake via Compassion Korea, the International Child Care Organization,

The couple said, “It’s a tragedy that many people died and were injured due to the Haiti earthquake, but no human being could have prevented it. From now on, we should contribute to rescue efforts.”

The couple had been supporting Haitian girl Westerline Theodore (10), who has been affiliated with them for five years, however, they are greatly anxious because it is not yet clear whether she is alive or not after Haiti’s earthquake disaster.

Source : KBS GLOBAL

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January 21, 2010

Celebrities donate funds to help Haiti

Korean celebrities are rolling up their sleeves to help the victims of earthquake-stricken Haiti.

Cha In-pyo, 43, and Shin Ae-ra, 41, made a donation of 100 million won ($87,000) to victims of the quake via Compassion Korea, an international aid organization for children.

"We are making this donation in consideration of the urgency of the fact that so many of Haitians are dying of hunger and thirst at the moment," Cha said in a telephone interview with the JoongAng Ilbo.

The couple has a special bond with the Caribbean country, where they have sponsored a 10-year-old girl named Westerline Theodore for the past five years. Since news of the quake broke, the couple has had difficulty determining if the girl is safe, Cha said.

Singer Sean and actress Jung Hye-young, another celebrity couple known for helping the poor and needy, were also reported to have contributed 1 million won to the same cause.

Source : JoongAng Daily

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2010.01.21

Han Chae-young to join Lee Byung-hun for "Influence"

Actress Han Chae-young [Chae ki-won/10Asia]

Korean actress Han Chae-young is set to join the cast of online mystery movie "The Influence", announced the film's producer Realize Pictures in a press release on Thursday.

Han will play the love interest of Hallyu star Lee Byung-hun who share a love that transcends time and space but eventually fail to see a happy ending. Lee will be one of the main characters who will have to make a choice on his path to fulfilling a long-kept promise in the film spanning from 1907 to 2010.

"The Influence" will be directed by director Lee Jae-kyu who is well known for his popular dramas such as "Damo" and "Beethoven Virus". He will be making his directorial debut with the three-part film set for release in early March.

Han, 29, made her acting debut in 2000 through horror film "The Record". One of her more recent appearances was in "Good Morning President" which opened the 14th Pusan International Film Festival last year.

She is also one of the most sought-after actresses in the TV commercial business and has been in over half a dozen dramas including last year's hit KBS TV series "Boys Over Flowers."

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

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2010.01.21

Jang Dong-gun, Ko So-young rumored to wed in May

Korean star couple Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young [Asia Economic Daily]

Top Korean actors Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young, who admitted to their two-year romantic relationship last November, are again sparking rumors of a wedding in May, according to various reports surrounding the couple.

First, there was talk among industry sources that Ko was seen around Seoul, shopping for a wedding dress at high-end bridal shops.

Then producers of "ENEWS" -- which airs on Korea cable channel tvN -- reported that an employee at one of the wedding shops had said the 37-year-old actress had been eyeing American bridal brand Kenneth Pool. ENEWS even went as far as to predict that Ko "will choose a simple, romantic dress."

However, representatives for the star couple dismissed the rumor, saying that "there are no plans for a wedding."

There had been similar talk and sightings of the actress shopping around for a white gown shortly after the two went public with their relationship last year. But their agencies had denied the rumor, saying that Ko had accompanied her former stylist who was engaged to be married.

Jang and Ko, both 37, met as co-stars in the 1999 film "Love Wind, Love Song". They were seen together for the first time at the airport two weekends ago, returning from a trip to Hawaii with close friends.

Jang, who recently underwent a knee surgery, is scheduled to start shooting the film "D-day" in June.

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok kave@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

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01-21-2010

'Brothers' Offers Bittersweet 'Bromance'

In Chang Hoon's action-packed drama ``Blood Brothers,'' a former National

Intelligence Service agent (Song Kang-ho), left, and deserted North Korean

spy (Kang Dong-won) develop an unlikely friendship in Seoul.

/ Courtesy of Showbox/Mediaplex

A story about North and South Korean spies called ``Blood Brothers'' may initially seem like mawkish cliche capitalizing on the tragic divide of the peninsula.

But pleasantly surprising, bona fide entertainment is on offer ― an incisive observation of modern Korea that is tastefully packaged as a humorous and gripping story of a budding ``bromance'' between foes.

North Korean secret agent Ji-won (Kang Dong-won) crosses the 38th Parallel on a big mission to assassinate a comrade who has betrayed the regime. When the National Intelligence Service (NIS) led by Han-gyu (Song Kang-ho) intervenes, a shooting rampage ensues in the heart of Seoul.

Both parties suffer losses but the adept Northerner completes his assignment and escapes, while Han-gyu, having failed miserably, is fired. Ji-won, however, is suspected as having manipulated the operation and is also deserted by his agency.

Six years have passed and Han-gyu makes a living running a third-rate private eye business, catching runaway immigrant housewives rather than enemies of the state, while Ji-won leads a renegade life, all the while trying to get in touch with his squad.

The two cross paths by chance and they immediately recognize each other from the fateful incident; each believing that their own identity has not been compromised they wear smiles and start a business partnership in order to steal information from the other.

Over the course of the two-way spying, however, they come to realize that they have much in common. But just as they start opening their hearts to each other, Pyongyang contacts Ji-won for his last mission and the duo stands at a crossroads.

Chang Hoon, the Kim Ki-duk apprentice who made a stellar directorial debut with ``Rough Cut,'' solidifies his reputation: He is a gamely leading wheel on this action-tricycle, of which the rear set is fiercely propelled by the acting duo.

The film focuses on showing the human side of the two rivals, and is essentially a story about family. Han-gyu toils his pitiful job in order to support his daughter living abroad: ``I lost a family-like colleague but I still have to feed my real family,'' he sighs. Likewise Ji-won desperately tries to win back the trust of his agency because he has left behind a wife and daughter in the North.

In addition to the North-South divide, ``Brothers'' sheds light on other dark issues ― the cancers of a materially rich yet morally challenged society such as domestic violence, overlooked immigrant population and the traps of capitalism. But these are sown into an intriguing narrative filled with episodic humor, giving the film a light, palatable texture and a sweet, rather than bitter, aftertaste.

As described by the director, the project is indeed ``an assorted gift set of Song Kang-ho-style acting'': the lead actor offers everything from physical farce to witty lines and myriad facial expressions to tickle the audience with laughter.

Kang, who is enjoying both critical acclaim and box office success with ``Woochi,'' stumbles somewhat in his attempt to feign a suppressed northern dialect, but is nevertheless compelling ― twiggy physique and all ― with his piercing gaze and stolid facade.

Funnyman Go Chang-seok also peppers the film with humor in a supporting role.

In theaters Feb. 4. Distributed by Showbox/Mediaplex.

Credits : Lee Hyo-won, Staff Reporter (hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr)

Source : The Korea Times

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2010.01.21

Pierre Deporte dives into Korean drama

Don't peg him as just another pretty boy.

There is a reason why rising star Pierre Deporte is one of the first non-Korean actors to land a lead in a drama. He is, to put it simply, fearless - an oft-underrated yet crucial personality trait in an aspiring actor, especially in one who majored in law before embarking on a career in acting.

Rather than cower at the prospect of taking on a principal role in a period piece, first-time actor Deporte took a look at the synopsis, jumped on board a plane to Korea and decided to give it a go.

After filming MBC's "Tamra, the Island," where he starred as a shipwrecked Englishman who falls for a Jeju Island "haenyeo (female diver)," the French model and actor headed down to Jeonju for 25 days to film his first movie, "Alien Band," slated to come out this year.

To sum it all up, in a relatively short amount of time Deporte has achieved what many aspiring actors only dream of accomplishing.

Two months have passed since he wrapped up "Alien Band." Nearly four months have passed since "Tamra, the Island" aired its final episode. Rather than flop down from sheer exhaustion, the 24-year-old seems ready for his next gig.

"I want to be the bad guy," Deporte told The Korea Herald about the next role he wants to play. "I've had something with that since I was a kid."

Sporting a shock of near auburn-brown hair, a tongue piercing and another one below his lip, it is not hard to imagine the Belfort native cast as a villain, albeit one with a rebellious punk-rock streak.

The tall and lean French transplant sipped at an Americano before exploring the whys and wherefores of his early attraction to antiheroes.

"You know I'm from the Disney generation basically. So I watched all the Disney. I had all the videos and I had all that stuff. But you know 'One Hundred and One Dalmatians'? I love Cruella."

He paused, his grey-tinged baby-blue eyes pensive yet ever-so-slightly mischievous.

"I like a bad guy that you can understand why and actually feel bad. You know what I mean?"

His preference for the relatable rogue might explain why he cites Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" as one of his favorite movies and "Oldboy" star Choi Min-sik as one of his favorite actors. His attachment to Ann Demeulemeester pieces, plus his piercings, add to his dark edge.

Deporte's tendency toward laughter and infectious grins, however, supersede his potentially gothic image. There is a certain addictive joie de vivre to him, a quality that bodes well for him.

Even when talking about a particularly grueling moment he experienced while filming "Tamra, the Island," he still managed a laugh and a smile.

"The cave thing was ... it was horrible," he laughs. "And we shot a lot of scenes."

He launched into a full-scale description of the 14 to 15 scenes shot in a cave on Jeju Island.

"There's no air that goes inside this thing. And you know we put the smoke (in) to make it look better on screen," he cringed. "(It is) so hard to breathe in there and there's the smoke everywhere so your eyes start burning and to make it pretty you know we're putting a fireplace (in). We have this fire going."

"Ah that was horrible," he iterated.

The cave, however, seems to be the only truly arduous experience in a vast series of good ones.

"Everyday was so fun," Deporte could not pinpoint a specific high point.

"It was so much fun. I would totally do it again," he said earlier on in the interview. "Yeah, I'm flying tomorrow to Jeju like if we start again tomorrow. There's no problem, with the same crew, with the same co-actors."

Before he had a chance to contemplate his next career move, however, a movie gig rolled in while he was still working on "Tamra, the Island" and he jumped on board.

"It's called 'Alien Band,'" he said. "It's about a rock band in college. A few foreigner students, they make a club. It's like a music movie. The music's really good."

"What I loved about my character is that he does not speak anything else than Korean," said Deporte of his role as a French-born, naturalized Korean citizen who was raised by his grandmother in Korea and who plays the guitar.

Deporte expressed his take on "Alien Band."

"This is real life in Korea," he said. "When I read some lines, it's really stuff I say."

Not surprising since his character parallels his own life on many levels. At the age of five, his father married a Korean woman, marking the moment when Deporte first started to learn about the language and culture of his new mother's country.

"She taught me Korean," he spoke of his mother with a dedicated affection.

"Mom loves Korea and I think she translated that to me."

Deporte lived in Korea for seven years, from the impressionable age of 12 to his last year as a bona fide teenager. When he attended regular school for three months in Changwon - he was primarily schooled at international schools in Busan and Daejeon - he called his grandmother and asked her to give him a Korean name.

She christened him Hwaong Chan-bin.

"I took Hwaong for, like that's my mother's family name and Chan is 'dollim' for the guys in my family. So there's Chan-woo, Chan-young and I'm Chan, and 'bin' is, that's where she checked up for the meaning of the Chinese characters."

A dollim is a syllable of a Korean given name that is shared by all members of the same generation of a family.

Throughout the interview, Deporte slips into fluent Korean and reveals that he subsists off of rice and instant "doenjang (fermented soybean paste)" stew and "mulmandu (steamed dumplings)" at home. He even took his rice cooker with him to university in France.

"To me this is my home," he expressed his affinity for Korea. "This is where I feel the most comfortable."

"I know everything about this country."

Credits : Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldm.com)

Source : The Korea Herald

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01-21-2010

Go Su's TV Series to Air in Japan

TV drama "Will It Snow on

Christmas?" in which actor Go Su

stars will begin airing March 20 on

KNTV, Japan's satellite network

devoted to Korean content.

The ongoing SBS TV drama ``Will It Snow on Christmas?'' _ starring heartthrob Go Su _ will be broadcast in Japan this spring.

The melodrama will begin airing March 20 on KNTV, Japan's satellite network devoted to Korean content.

KNTV has promoted ``Christmas?'' as a notable work featuring top stars Go Su and Han Ye-seul. It has also highlighted the fact that the series was created by the writer of ``I'm Sorry, I Love You'' and helmed by the director of ``What Happened in Bali'' _ both of which attracted a sizeable fan base in Japan.

Go recently made comebacks to the big and small screens, after a five-year hiatus. He appeared in the mystery-thriller movie ``Baekyahaeng,'' which is based on the best-selling Japanese novel ``Byakuyako'' by Keigo Higashino.

Credits : hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

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2010.01.21

Gang and Song say bonded like brothers in "Secret Reunion"

Director Jang Hoon (center) poses with his lead actors Song Kang-ho (left) and Gang Dong-won

attend a press conference for film "Secret Reunion" held at the COEX Megabox Multiplex theater

in Seoul, South Korea on January 19, 2010. [Creative Film Marketing]

Press conference for film "Secret Reunion"

Song Kang-ho keeps throwing verbal jabs which makes the audience burst out in laughter. Gang Dong-won wears a complex, multi-layered look in his eyes that has not been seen in any of his previous films. From what has been revealed at the press conference for "Secret Reunion", held at Seoul's Megabox Multiplex on Tuesday, "Reunion" not only maximized the strengths of the two actors but also took an unexpected turn. The character Han-gyu, a former NIS (National Intelligence Service) agent who now runs a detective agency, appears to be a mixture of Song's two previous characters -- the NIS agent in "Swiri" and the middle-aged mobster in "The Show Must Go On". But his remarks in the movie go far beyond just being funny lines spoken by a character -- it's as if the actor and the character have become one. And one can see in the close-up shots that Gang Dong-won -- who looks as slick as a deer even when he's wearing suits that have long gone out of fashion -- carries in his eyes the intensity of a North Korean spy who is immensely conflicted between his ideology and his emotions.

Scenes from the film "Secret Reunion" [Creative Film Marketing]

With issues like the North-South division and marrying immigrants entangled in the story, "Reunion" is to no extent a light movie. But even during the pursuit scenes between the NIS and the killer or action scenes with a Vietnamese organization, one cannot help laughing at the humor created by the gap felt between the seriousness of film's theme and what one actually sees on the screen. The film "Reunion" -- which Song Kang-ho confidently described as "made so well that it makes me blush" -- opens in theaters on February 4. The following is an excerpt from the Q&A session held after the press screening.

Q: "Reunion" deals with the division of North and South Korea, but the movie feels more comical than serious. What kind of movie were you trying to make?

Director Jang Hoon (Jang): An NIS agent and a North Korean spy get abandoned by their government agency but meet again six years later. The story started with what could happen when these two meet again. The movie is serious before they see each other again, but the tone of the film lightens up after they meet. I think what makes it entertaining is the comical parts surrounding two men living together and the ensuing drama when they start understanding each other.

Actor Song Kang-ho [Creative Film Marketing]

Q: In the case of Song Kang-ho, you have appeared in movies that dealt with the North-South division such as "Swiri" and "Joint Security Area JSA". "Reunion" also deals with the subject but it approaches the issue in a different way than your other films did.

Song Kang-ho (Song): The reality hasn't changed -- the country is still divided as it was ten years ago. But I think there's been a change in our awareness, like our thoughts about the division having changed over the years. It's not our fundamental thoughts that have changed but our attitude in accepting reality. "Reunion" is very different from "Swiri". I wouldn't call it light but maybe you could say it deals with reality in a sophisticated way. In the past, we were educated under the circumstances like the division and the military regime and were even taken advantage of. But I think people have become more free-spirited now and they accept the reality as it is.

Q: Since the film is about the process of two very different men becoming brothers, the actors must have communicated a lot as well.

Gang Dong-won (Gang): I talked a lot with Song Kang-ho after we finished filming the movie. I told him about my problems and I'm grateful because I think he instilled confidence in me. I'm sure this isn't true but he told me, "I wasn't as good as you when I was your age. You're doing really well." That compliment really invigorated me.

Song: There is a large physical age gap between us but surprisingly, Gang Dong-won is an actor who thinks a lot and deeply about life and his acting. So much that his nickname on the set was "old man". (laugh) I envied the fact that he is a deep thinker and expresses himself honestly, and if he uses those traits in his acting, I think he could be a really great actor. We had fun shooting the film and we had good chemistry. We look so different that the title of the film [translated into "Sworn Brothers" in English] didn't feel right in the beginning but there was talk on set that we were starting to look alike... I'm just kidding. (laugh)

Actor Gang Dong-won [Creative Film Marketing]

Q: Was there a special moment in the movie when you felt like you were really brothers, like your characters Han-gyu and Ji-won?

Song: The two of us went out for drinks and talked a lot. Gang Dong-won is a really funny guy. He looks like a typical [Korean province] Gyeongsang-do guy who doesn't talk much and isn't very friendly, but when you get to know him you see that he's a very funny storyteller. But there's a depth to his stories and I could tell that he was a young man who was raised well in a good family. I found his personality to be just as attractive as his looks. (To Gang) What would be our special piece of memory?

Gang: I once went to Busan to see Song Kang-ho and he fell asleep in the room while we were drinking. So I woke him up and started drinking again... (laugh) Nothing special happened but we had a lot of conversations. I think we talked about anything and everything.

Q: You still have a Gyeongsang Province accent -- did it bother you while you were playing your character as a North Korean spy?

Gang: I used to worry about my accent but I stopped caring from a certain point on. I talked to Song Kang-ho about this and he told me not to worry about it too much. He said, "Your emotions is what matters when you're acting. If the audience says something about your accent, it means your acting wasn't good enough. We talk to express our characters' emotions but if they're noticing the accent first, then it means you didn't deliver your emotions well enough."

Q: "Avatar" and "WOOCHI" are currently ranked first and second on the box office. How many viewers are you expecting for "Reunion"? Do you think it will do better than "WOOCHI"?

Gang: Personally, I hope to see both "WOOCHI" and "Reunion" playing in theaters at the same time. Then many people who liked "Reunion" would go see "WOOCHI" and come watch "Reunion" again. (laugh) That would be really great.

Reporter : Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr

Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

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[deka_if]

January 22, 2010

Actress Bae Doona wins third award in Japan

Actress Bae Doona in Air Doll [AIR DOLL Production Committee]

Korean actress Bae Doona will win her third best actress award in Japan for her role in film "Air Doll," according to her agency Barunson Entertainment on Thursday.

"Bae received an overwhelming number of the votes amongst the nominees for best actress," director Takeshi Kitano was quoted as saying of the 30-year-old actress who will claim her prize at the Tokyo Sports Movie Awards to be held February 28.

Kitano, a celebrated figure in the Japanese comedy and film industry, has been head of the jury for the annual awards event now into its eighteenth year. He makes the final decision based on nominations selected by the directors of the total 18 film festivals in Japan.

Bae's role as an air doll that develops human emotions one day has already earned her the same title at the Japanese Academy Awards taking place on March 5 and the Takasaki Film Festival opening on March 28.

Since debuting in 1998 as a model, Bae has appeared in many dramas and movies including the Japanese movie "Linda Linda Linda" (2005) and Korean movie "The Host" (2006). She currently stars in KBS drama "Master of Study".

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr

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****

Jan.22, 2010

Bae Doo-na Wins Three Acting Awards in Japan

Bae Doo-na

Bae Doo-na has been named the winner of three acting awards from three different film festivals in Japan for her performance in the Japanese film "Air Doll."

Bae will receive the best actress award at the 19th Tokyo Sports Movie Awards on Feb. 28, and then claim the awards for best leading actress at the Japan Academy Prize on March 5 and the Takasaki Film Festival on March 28.

"Air Doll" is the latest work of acclaimed Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda, who also made "Nobody Knows" and "Wonderful Life."

The film was featured in the Pusan International Film Festival last year, but it has not yet been scheduled for a full release in Korea.

Credits : englishnews@chosun.com